I was wanting to clean a pan we used for brownies, but there was a little bit left. I asked if anyone else wanted the brownie that was left. I said "speak now or forever your peace." Sister Clark said, "It looks like you are holding your piece... of brownie." Needless to say, I ate it lol
Anyways, the saddest thing happened this week. We found out that our investigator Roger had to move because his house went into foreclosure. The realtor we talked to when we went to try to contact Roger at his house told us he is now living in Reno, but we haven't been able to get ahold him. We were really sad because he was progressing and was probably going to get baptized soon. We just hope he runs into missionaries while he is there and picks up where he left off.
Nothing else too exciting from this week though. We did a lot of finding, but haven't been too successful yet. Oh, we went to Whataburger on Friday before our weekly BINGO with the girls (as we call it). Man, did I miss Whataburger. I haven't had it in almost a year, but it was delicious. It was also fun at bingo because we invited some elders to come as well, and it just added a different dynamic. At the end of playing bingo, we always sing hymns or occasionally primary songs to the residents at the care home we play bingo with, and one of the nurses always looks like she is touched by them. Maybe one day that will turn into a bigger missionary opportunity.
Also, monsoon season is upon us, and I love it! It reminds me of home when I see lightning and hear thunder and feel the rain. I could pass on some of the humidity though.
Spiritual thought for the week: In the last two Sundays, the relief societies have talked about the talk "Songs Sung and Unsung" by Elder Holland. I love it because we all have a place and a purpose. We all have different talents and abilities, but we are all needed. I would encourage y'all to go back and look at it.
Love y'all! Have a fantastic week! Sister Smith
For sale sign in front of Roger's home. My comment about this pic to Sister Wade was, "You must be this tall to baptize someone in this area"
Dog pic 1
Whataburger! (I was tempted to take the number, but I didn't)
Dog pic 2
Dog pic 3
When you fall asleep during church and drop your pink cookie/wafer thing (btw, he picked it up and ate later...)
Playing in the rain. That is a retention basin, and it was completely empty yesterday before it started to rain.
On Tuesdays, we go and play volleyball for a stake relief society activity. This past week, I made a lot of saves while playing, and the stake relief president made the comment that I not only save souls, but I could save the ball too haha
Anyways, this week was good. It started off well Monday night when we contacted a member referral. She let us right in, and we were able to teach the Restoration. She even said that she wanted to read the Book of Mormon. She was like, "if you believe it's true, I'll read it."
We also had a discussion with someone who used to be RLDS. We had an in depth discussion about the doctrine of the Plan of Salvation. Never have I had to use so many scriptures from the Bible (and the Book of Mormon) about the individual points from the Plan of Salvation. She wasn't really interested, she mostly just wanted to ask questions.
On Wednesday, we were able to go to the Visitors' Center with the women of the Sunny Mesa ward who are 60+ because they were having an activity and we tagged along. Sometimes, it's just funny to hear some of their conversations and things they say (like trying to figure out whose cane is whose ).
Thursday, we were able to learn really what is holding Heather back from baptism. So we are working on that now. Friday was a typical Friday. Saturday, we did service where we cleaned dishes for 2 hours. Never have I seen so many dirty dishes. Have you ever seen moldy Kraft mac n cheese? Because I now have. Don't want to again though. We were also able to meet with our investigator Emily again finally. It went pretty well.
Sunday, there was a homecoming talk. It was a really great talk, and it was so perfect for Heather. We really hoped she was listening and took it to heart.
A scripture that was shared on Sunday was Jacob 2:8—"And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul." I want to add my testimony that the word of God and faith really do heal a wounded soul. Whatever challenges we have, the word of God helps us.
So we went to the mall today with our roommates, and in Dillards, there were mannequins without arms, and the arms were sitting on a counter not too far away. I made the joke that Ammon must have been here (missionary jokes lol)
Anyways, it has felt like the longest week (5 days) since I last emailed (and that is probably partially because I have been feeling kinda sick since about Wednesday...), but at the same time it went by fairly fast. We had a 2 hour lesson with Heather on Thursday. Typically, lessons aren't that long, but it was a good lesson for us because we were able to figure out her biggest concern/need and why she isn't progressing more. So we will be working on that one. We also had another lesson with Roger. He did say that he believes The Book of Mormon is true, which is great, but he said he isn't sure if he wants to be baptized because he afraid of water lol. But faith conquers fear.
The only other notable thing from this week is that we had another Member Missionary Fireside last night. It always inspires me to see other people who have become converted and want to share the gospel with others. The testimonies they have usually aren't very deep, but they sure are strong.
Oh, just something that was kinda funny and awesome from zone sports this morning was that I walked out of the gym to change into a dress since I was leaving early to go get my hair cut. We were playing k-ball (idk how it is spelled). Well as I came in (with my athletic clothes in my right hand), the ball came flying my way. I ended up hitting the ball with the top of my right hand to another person who was on my team. Then, moments after that, the ball came my way, and I caught it with my left hand and passed it to someone else on my team (who then scored). It was pretty cool in person though it might sound pretty lame in email.
I almost forgot to mention a cool fact Sister Wade and I figured out this week: The day Sister Wade got baptized was actually the same day that I made my decision that I wanted/needed to serve a mission. Coincidence? We think not.
Anyways, love y'all! Sister Smith
Evidence of Ammon's presence
Cool sky pic
I got to ride in a Tesla this week. It was fun!
Sister Johnson: "look at the beautiful view" Me: *jumps in front of the camera* "Thanks, I know I'm beautiful"
I was brushing my hair this morning and accidentally hit my companion with my brush. She made a sarcastic comment, and then I told her that she just needs to brush it off.
Also, happy late Fourth of July! Btw, our pday is today so that we could go to the temple. The temple is always great. It was exactly what I needed this morning.
Anyways, it feels like it has been forever since I have emailed home even though it was just 2 days longer than normal. This week (plus 2 days) has just been long.
Nothing overly exciting from this past week. We did lots of service. We helped at a food bank last week and we also did 6 hours of painting at the same place between two days (which was good but was just very long and exhausting). I also had exchanges, and I went to Sister Johnson's area. It was kinda weird because they actually had a lot of lessons lined up the day/night we had exchanges. Completely different from my area.
We also went to the VC three times with some different members to watch the new Restoration videos with them. I can basically quote them now, but there is always something new that stands out to me each time I watch them. The members all loved the videos as well.
We took Roger and Heather to a baptism of someone else on Saturday. It was a great baptism, but I don't think it made either of our investigators desire to be baptized stronger... but it does give us a reason to review baptism with each of them once more.
We also had zone conference this past week and also two district meeting since I wrote last. These are always great because it helps me not only know how to teach others to help them be converted to Jesus Christ and His gospel, but it helps me know how I can be more converted to Jesus Christ and His gospel. It always comes back to CPR—church, pray, read.
To go along with conversion, this past week I broke down Alma 5 and went through all the questions. It was a great reflection for me on those things that I could work on, but also a great reflection on how far I have come.
Love y'all! Sister Smith
Weekly dog pic
Matching service clothes
District pic
Canes! It was brought for lunch by a member after district meeting
Exchanges. We visited an investigator who just had a baby
We got Legos in YW! It was part of an object lesson.
