Greetings!

Hello!

This week has been...ummmm....slow is the only word that I can think of to describe it. We keep setting appointments only to have them cancel last second or just not answer the door. It hurts. This week, more than ever, the rejection as felt very personal. Like they are rejecting me and not just my message. I keep telling Elder Warner, "This is what separates the boys from the men." I just hope I turn out to be man enough to continue on. But as always there are rays of hope that keep us going. 

I am practicing tough love with Elder Warner. He is super shy and so I am breaking down his shell. For the first week, when he would turn to me with the deer in the headlights look, the fear obviously evident on his face, I would step in and help him out. This week, as heart breaking as it is, I have been throwing him quite abruptly into the deep end. It reminds me of Dad teaching us how to swim. We would spend a day or so learning how to doggy paddle and tread water, learning the basics and then he would lead us, like lambs to the slaughter, to the deep end to "see what it looks like." Ha. Then he would throw us in. It wasn't the gentlest of means but I'll tell you what, you learn to swim pretty quick. I've been doing it with Elder Warner and it has worked. We went tracting on Saturday and there were a couple doors that were pretty rough and I almost stepped in but didn't. After two particularly trying doors I was about to give him a break but told him to do one more. He knocked on the door, gave his approach and.........the lady was super nice, let us in, and we are going back next week! It was a relief to see that his work paid off. What a champ. I have nick-named him Elder "Can't Be Stopped" Warner. I don't use it because we aren't supposed to use nick-names but I think its pretty great. I called Elder Binford: Pokey. I'm a nick name wizard. :)

The rest of the week was pretty slow but we did make some progress with Linda! Mark has decided that it is time to get married and that he won't stand in the way. This has been the problem since day one. We had a plan to teach about prophets and some other commandments but I felt inspired to teach the Plan of Salvation. As we taught, I think the reality of the plan sunk in for Mark. That Linda couldn't get baptized until they were married and that if she isn't baptized she can't progress in this life. He stopped us mid lesson, out of the blue and said "You know what boys, I'm ready. I'm not going to stand in the way anymore. Linda, I will marry you."
            I was shocked. Ladies and Gentlemen. Miracles happen. 

I am doing well, loving mission life and really enjoying my studies. I recently finished the Book of Mormon and decided that this time as I read through that I would really study it. I have been reading a chapter a day and I have been astounded at the amount of things I am learning. There are stories and principles in the first five chapters I swear weren't there before. They have taught me a ton about leadership and how to help others to be obedient. It has been great. My favorite has been 1 Nephi 2:16-18. Nephi prays to know if what the prophet (his father) said is true. He gains a witness and the FIRST thing he does is tell his family. Sam believes his words and Laman and Lemuel don't. He rejoices with Sam and prays for Laman and Lemuel. It is a perfect type of member missionary work especially recent converts. I truly love the Book of Mormon and my testimony grows everyday that it was written for our time. I would urge all of you to read and I promise that you will find counsel and for your life. The answers are in the book. :)

Love you all. Work hard and do good things!!

Love,

Elder Smith

P.S. Feel free to email me! easton.smith@myldsmail.net I would love to hear from anyone and everyone!

Luvs!