I'M ALMOST IN AMERICA!!!

Greetings from Windsor, Ontario!

Let me just say that this place is sweet. I live on Riverside Drive which is exactly what it says it is. Right next to the river and across the river is AMERICA!!! I am going to attempt to send pictures in this email. I am really excited that I am this close to the US of A. Elder Wendt doesn't really care though. He is not American. He is Swiss-German/Argentinian....His mom is from Argentina, His dad is from Germany and he was raised in Switzerland. Confusing. You pronounce Wendt: Vent which makes this companion number three with a difficult name and the "Smith. That's easy to remember" jokes abound. What fun. He is super sweet and a great missionary. He has been out a year and a half and it is great to work with someone who knows what they are doing. We get along really well and I see great things in the future. (Including a trip to Germany/Switzerland to visit him. Who's in?) :):)

I am excited to be in Windsor. The city itself is pretty great. It kind of has a bad rep because across the river is Detroit: Murder Capital of the United States. But I  like it. It is older and looks exactly like I imagined Detroit to look like. Run down old factories covered in vines, little old houses and American cars everywhere. Its great. Kind of shady in some places but it just makes things fun. :) Windsor is also the warmest place in Canada or something. Apparently they never get snow and the winter is very mild. LAME!!! I came to Canada expecting snow and I feel ripped off. Oh well. There is always next year.

The ward is sweet and they feed us A LOT. If I'm not careful I will come home with a "Canadian Tire." There is a hardware store called Canadian Tire so that's what they call the fat stomach you get when you serve here. :( I'm hoping I can fend it off. Not likely. Sigh. 

As for investigators things are good. I have only met one because everyone is very busy with finals and the Christmas season but the one I have met is so great. His name is Al and he is 70 something and HILARIOUS! He is doing really well should be baptized soon. Sometime in January. He is retired and lives with his two dogs and is just a great guy. He is trying really hard to overcome his difficulties and is really changing his life. I love this part of missionary work. When it goes from being just something nice that we are telling people and turns to people understanding and having a desire to change their life. It is great. I love it. 

That is about it. Good times here in Windsor. We got to be in the Windsor Winter Fest parade with our ward. We passed out 1400 Joy to the World cards along the way!! It was sweet and great to get our name out there. We already have one request for visit viamormon.org and hopefully it is the first of many. Exciting stuff!

I am way excited to be here and to be able to see the growth in people's lives. I really love being a missionary and I am so glad I have two years to do it. I love this work and I love this gospel. There is nothing that brings more happiness than the knowledge we have and that I get to share with people. What a blessing. 

Merry Christmas everyone! Work hard and do good things!

Love, 

Elder E. Smith

P.S. My new address

3701 Riverside Drive East #202 W

Windsor, ON N8Y 4W5

Canada! 

P.P.S. My mission office address

Canada Toronto Mission

197 County Court Blvd Suite 203

Brampton, ON L6W 4P6

Canada

Please use my first name in anything sent there. :):)

P.P.P.S. I got the Christmas package from the aunts and uncles. Thanks so much!! I did not get my family one. I will tomorrow at Zone Conference though.

Luvs!!!