Merry Christmas

Hey!

Last weeks letter was bad. I remembered like 12 things I wanted to share right as we left the library. DOH!!!! So here are a few from last week.

My misssion was made last week when I walked past a Primary class and one of the kids yelled "ELDER SMITH!!!" and ran out to give me a high five and talk to me. I loved it. I love the Richmond Hill Ward. I was walking around church yesterday and I couldn't help but smile. It is crazy how much I can love a bunch of people I hardly know.

Now on to other things. Mom had a ton of questions so I will answer them here.

Bro Scott picture story. So Bro Scott is a member in the ward that we are super close with. He has MS so once a week we go to his house and help him with stuff. He feeds us and he is awesome. We are also teaching his step-son so we spend a lot of time at the Scott house. Last night we went there for dinner and a lesson and it was good. His daughter is super funny and I mess with her like I would Emma or Mariah. Its so fun to have a sister again. So she was goofing around and putting things on my head. Hence the bird in the nest on my head. It was mildly amusing to me but everyone else thought it was hilarious. Sis Scott almost died laughing. Good times.

On the super storm front. From my perspective the storm was "Meh." We got lots of rain and some high winds one night but really nothing bad. We are very lucky. We have just heard bits and pieces of what happened elsewhere and it sounds awful. Keep those affected in your prayers for sure!  

Canada is awesome. Because we have Thanksgiving at the beginning of November, after Halloween Christmas starts. I am already singing Christmas songs. :) Hohoho! I don't have any Christmas music. Send some soon. The rules are the same for Christmas music as far as I know. Music that is uplifting, contains no romantic lyrics or overtones, and that directs thoughts to the Savior. So find some and send it. Get as much Harry Connick Jr. as you can. It won't be Christmas without my Harry :) As for things I want for Christmas there are only two. Money to dry clean my suits and sweaters. If I think of something else I will let you know.

On to the weekly update.

This week was great. I had dinner in Mexico, Columbia and lunch in China. Dinner with members is like serving a mini mission in another country. Phillipines, Venezuela, Scotland. People in this ward are from EVERYWHERE! I love it. The Chinese lunch was a resturant that had a grill in the middle of the table and you grill your own food. It was sweet and suuuuuper good. I love being a missionary.

Due to daylight savings we got to sleep in yesterday and it was heavenly. We set our alarms for 7:30 and then just set them back when we got up. I felt like a new man. Hahaha. I can't wait till Christmas because we get to sleep in then too. :)

This week I have really seen the Spirit take over. When I just do what I am supposed to and let the Holy Spirit guide, things just work out. Two examples. On Saturday night we went street contacting at the only place where there are enough people to talk to but that night it was dead. DEAD. There was one man at the bus stop and he didn't speak a lick of english. I was bummed. We had worked hard all day and we were trying to do our part but no one was there to talk to. I said a silent little prayer to ask for help and a reason to be there that night. I got the prompting to walk to the other corner and walk down the street. So I did. As we walked down that street the bus came and a man got out and I jokingly said to Elder Hegemann "There he is. That is the reason we are here." So I went up to talk to him and he shut me DOWN. Normally I would leave it and not bother him but I got another prompting to just keep talking to him. We talked a little more as we waited for the light to change and then as we walked across the street. By the time we reached the other side his attitude had completely changed. He was warm, friendly and told us that he would be calling us. He wanted to give us his number but he had just moved to Markham and didn't know it yet so he saifd he would call us. It was awesome and I was so glad that I listened to the Spirit. 

Then last night we were teaching a lesson that admittedly, we were not super prepared for. I said another silent prayer that things would go well and I got this assurance not to worry and everything would work out. As we started the lesson, I wasn't sure how it was going to go. We had never practiced this lesson and I have only taught it two other times, neither of them very well. I just went with the plan and suddenly the Spirit took over. Scriptures to share and questions to ask were popping into my head and  everthing went smoothly from subject to subject. I can't believe how well the lesson went and I was so glad that I trusted in the Spirit and followed the promptings. I am so grateful for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and for the chance that I have to use it everyday. What a wonderful blessing. What a wonderful week!

Tomorrow marks 5 months to the day that I left on my mission. 5 months!! It has been the longest and the shortest 5 months of my life. I am so glad that I chose to come on a misson and I am so grateful for the chance that I have to be serving the Lord for two years. I love being a missionary.

I love you all and I am so grateful for your love and support. Keep working, keep smiling, keep reading your scriptures and pray always! Do good things!

Elder E. Smith

P.S. Pictures will be coming next week via letter. My best attempts to send them have amounted to nothing so snail mail it is. :)

Canada Fact: I can't think of anything.....Oh! Ketchup Chips! They love them here. Nasty!

Luvs