But no pun in ten (minutes) did...

I couldn't really think of any puns or jokes from this week, and I
have been trying to think of one. But no pun in ten (minutes) did...

Anyways, this week was filled with ups and downs. One of the downs was
that Saprina was supposed to be baptized Saturday night. Everything
was set up, we were all there for the baptism, and she and the YSA
missionaries never showed up. Apparently, she had some last minutes
doubts, so they were at her apartment talking through it. We said a
prayer as a group though, and the Spirit was so strong as it was being
said. But I wanted to cry because I was so sad and my heart was a
little broken. But the YSA sisters got it figured out, and it looks
like she will be getting baptized next month.
The other down was that we got a text from the Cannan family saying
that the kids' dad doesn't understand their desire to go to church,
and he doesn't want them going.  another heartbreak from this week.

On a lighter note, our investigator Darla Palmer came to the ward
activity we had on Friday and was able to meet some people from the
ward. And quite a few members came up and introduced themselves to
her, so that was great! We also had some awesome sacrament meetings on
Sunday. One was designed for nonmembers, and the Spirit was so strong
as the simple doctrines and principles of the gospel were taught. One
of these was the Restoration. The member who spoke on this topic did a
great job, and basically said something similar to what almost any
missionary probably would have said if they were asked to speak on it.
As this member spoke, it really made me realize the power that the
message of the Restoration has and the Spirit it can bring into the
room as we testify of it.

Oh, and we got transfer news. I'm staying with Sister Clark in the
same area, but we will be moving to a difference place to live for
this transfer. Only 3 transfers to go 

Anyways, I love y'all.
Sister Smith

Weekly dog pic

District

Look how big the kittens have gotten

These kids got baptized (They were taught by Sister Clark in her

last area. I did teach them one lesson though when I was in a trio

temporarily with Sister Clark)

I think all missionaries could probably use this lol #stressed

Scaring the bageezus out of them

So last night we were reading The Book of Mormon with Larry and Maria
in 1 Nephi 17, and we were reading the part where Nephi shocks his
brothers. Larry made a comment about it scaring the bageezus out of
Laman and Lamuel, to which I quickly remarked that it probably
actually scared the Jesus into them. 😂

Anyways, this week was good, although it seemed like it was pretty
long. We had a great lesson with the Cannan family this week! We got
there, and they just started asking us questions that they had about
what we had taught the time before because there was something they
didn't quite understand and they had a discussion amongst themselves
and didn't know the answer, so they asked us. The daughter Alice was
introduced to the word of wisdom by some people at school, so we had
to also teach that. It's cool to see them learning and wanting to
know, and even discussing what we have taught them!
We also had a less active member we have been working with make
reading/listening to The Book of Mormon a bigger part of her life, and
we were having a Skype lesson with her, and there were some technical
difficulties due to the fact that she was driving, so we thought the
lesson was just going to end, but instead she pulled over just so she
could have this lesson with us! It was a miracle!

We had a Sisters' Conference this week, too. There was a really cool
diagram and explanation of how men and women have different roles when
it comes to us learning and growing and gaining eternal life. I wish I
could explain it via email, but it would be really hard. But it was
explained in a different perspective and way than I have ever heard
and seen before.

A miracle that happened this week was that a few weeks ago, we dropped
a potential investigator named Darla because the place where she lives
has a gate and we didn't know the gate code, and we tried calling her
a couple of times, but we never heard anything back. Well, this week
we got a referral for her, and she had referred herself online. We
called her, and she answered! We then set up a lesson. At the lesson,
she told us that about a month ago, she got calls from some sisters,
but she lost the number. Since she did want to have us come over, she
just requested to have missionaries visit. We had an awesome first
lesson with her. Unfortunately, she didn't make it to church because
she woke up feeling sick, which was a little disappointing... then
again, what's new? Don't all investigators get sick on Sundays so they
can't make it to church? (I've only seen this a few times... and by a
few times, I mean lots of times).
Sunday night, I stumped everyone (a family and my companion) playing 2
truths and a lie as a get to know you game. Granted, my lie was kinda
cheap, but that's okay. I used 1) I try to send home a pic with me and
a dog every week in my email home, 2) My favorite color is lime green,
and 3) I have 3 dogs back home. They all thought one of the first two
was the lie, but really I only have 2 dogs back home. It was kinda
funny though because they have a dog, and I guess after they pray,
they play with their dog with a laser pointer. So we said an opening
prayer, and the dog rushed over to the spot they keep the laser
pointer and started freaking out. At least we know the family prays
often enough for the dog to have a habit and know where to go.

Also, even though yesterday was super long with it being a Monday with
no set plans all afternoon, there were a few small miracles. We were
able to catch 2 people, who were on a list from the ward for us to go
and contact, at home that we have never been able to catch before, one
of which normally would have not been home but happened to be home.
One of these people, I had tried so many times before, and I almost
just gave up, but yesterday was our lucky day with her.

An analogy that was given by a youth at church that I liked was
relating a strong iTunes password to a strong testimony. This youth's
mom iTunes got hacked, and he talked about if you have a strong
password, it is harder to hack. If we have a strong testimony, it is
harder for others to break it down and lead us astray.

Anyways, I love y'all!
Sister Smith

 Sisters' Conference

When the maintenance man uses your colored pencil to write the note...

Weekly dog pic is back!

I am my mother's daughter. This is what happens when you walk down

the Halloween candy aisle...

Mode of transportation

So we had a district meeting at the Mission President's home this past week, and after we were eating lunch. We were talking about biking, and President Townsend asked what Sister Clark did with her bike. She said she locked it on our back porch. He then asked me if I had a bike, and I said no. Sister Young (my old roommate) told me right after I responded no to not having a bike to not use the broom out on the back porch because they had used it to kill some spiders. Knowing her, I knew her train of thought. President Townsend, on the other hand, thought she was telling me not to use the broom to fly around as a way to get around since I didn't have bike. We got a good laugh out of that one. (It was probably funnier if you were there and not just reading it)

Anyways, not much to report from my area this week. The investigators we have been working with are still progressing. No one new really. 

We did get a new area book app--Area Book Planner 2.0. We are... adjusting to it to say the least. Apparently, a lot of missionaries have complained about it since we got an email from the APs saying that we need to be patient in learning how to use it. 

I want to add an experience from this week though. On Thursday morning, I felt a little discouraged about how our day was going to turn out. I had this new area book I was trying to use and trying to plan with, we had a couple lessons already cancelled, we didn't have a dinner set up, and I was on exchanges, so my companion at the time couldn't really help me plan too much. I didn't know what we we going to do for the day. The Lord took this day that I thought was going to be terrible, and He filled it with little miracles to make it a pretty great day. I sent a fb message to an investigator with a scripture, and she responded saying that she needed that right at that moment. We went to contact a referral, who I was pretty sure wasn't going to be home, but I felt like we should try. He wasn't home. But then we saw one of our new investigators, whose lesson fell through the day before, walk around the corner. We were able to go and talk with her for a short time and set up another appointment. We had another good lesson with one of our investigators. We ended up with a dinner. We had a good lesson with a family in the ward. And because one of our lessons fell through, we were able to contact someone else and have a good lesson with them. So all in all, everything worked out, and the Lord helped me and really had everything planned. Then, I was reading in 3 Nephi 13 where Christ tells the disciples He has just called to basically not worry about temporal needs and such, and He will take care of them. He just did that for me! 

On Saturday, we did help out with a triathalon. I waved an orange flag for 2-2.5 hours to try to get drivers attention so that they wouldn't hit the bicyclists. My arm did get a little tired after a bit, but it was fun to help out. And it was fun to see how impatient some people are when driving lol

Yesterday, during one of our testimony meetings, there were some silences. But I looked over at our investigators who were sitting next to us, and they were reading The Book of Mormon! It is always great to see those you are working with reading The Book of Mormon. Also, we had authentic Louisiana gumbo last night for dinner that our investigator Nadia made for us. It was so good (especially after fasting all day)! 

So yeah. I love y'all! Have a great week!

Sister Smith

Kinda slacking on pics the past couple of weeks. And no weekly dog pic again 

Dinner at Nadia's with the lemon blueberry trifle

Dinner at Nadia's with the lemon blueberry trifle

Wake me up when September ends

Well, it is now October. Time sure does fly by, whether we want it to or not.

This week was good. Nothing too exciting.
There was General Conference, which was great as always. I personally
felt like there was a huge emphasis on trusting in the Lord, service,
The Book of Mormon, and following the prophet's counsel. It is always
cool that there seems to be a few topics that are really focused on
each General Conference, and it is always inspired by the Spirit.
Also, I love how we can learn so much from the general authorities in
the church. I was reading in 3 Nephi 1:24-25, and it talks about how
some people misinterpreted the scriptures, but then they came to a
knowledge that they had done that. I think it is fantastic that we can
have the scriptures clarified by listening to and reading conference
talks as well as anything else that is given unto us by the leaders of
the church. We have so many resources to gain knowledge!

Something that was fun and cool this week was that we went to Mutual
for one of our wards. They had a fire, and after eating hot dogs,
different youth and youth leaders were called on to share an
experience that they have had with the scriptures. The Spirit was so
strong as each one testified of the scriptures and the different
experiences they have had finding peace, comfort, and answers through
the scriptures. The scriptures really are true!

On Saturday, I wasn't feeling super great at all. We had a lesson with
Larry and Maria that night, and it is amazing how the Lord provides a
way for us to accomplish His work and purpose because during that
lesson, I didn't really feel sick. I know it was by the power of the
Lord I was able to make it through that lesson.

Anyways, not much else from this week. I hope y'all had a great week!
Love you guys!
Sister Smith

Missionary parking for district meeting

 Quick sunset pic

One accord

So we had zone conference this week. The Elder who is over the cars was talking to us about our cars and stuff. To end he said that he didn't have any scriptures about cars, but he did hear that Christ and His apostles left in one accord. 

Anyways, this week was a good week. Larry and Maria got married on Tuesday!! Bishop Lopez married them. It was a very simple and short wedding done in the bishop's office. It was really awesome. Bishop Lopez talked a little bit about The Family Proclamation, and it is so true that families are so important here on this earth, but also after this life as well. It was also an extra missionary opportunity because Maria had her daughter there, and her daughter also brought her boyfriend. Maria also loves the iron rod analogy and how we have to cling to it. She mentioned it during the wedding service, and Bishop Lopez made the joke about holding to the rod we use to whip our spouse into shape haha. But we got to explain what it meant to hold to the iron rod to Maria's daughter since she had no idea about it. Also, Maria's daughter looked a little shocked and surprised when Bishop Lopez mentioned this being a great step in leading Maria to baptism. But it was good.

Also, Nadia is on date for baptism now! She has been investigating for awhile now, and she knows that she wants to be baptized (it is a slightly long and complicated story to tell why she isn't baptized yet), but she texted us Wednesday morning saying she has decided to be baptized on November 11th! We are so happy that she has set a date now! 

Thursday we had zone conference. It was good, as they always are. Setting goals and making plans was re emphasized once again, but it is so true that we can't progress, or at least not as fast as we would like to, if we don't set goals and then make plans. We also talked about using The Book of Mormon some more. I mean, The Book of Mormon is one of the most important things we can read and use in our own conversion as well in helping others be converted.

I went on exchanges from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. I went to a

Spanish area for the first time. I understood maybe 50-75% of what was being said, but I didn't say a whole lot when teaching. We also met a lady (I think she was a potential investigator in the Spanish area) who was annoyed that I didn't speak Spanish, and then she didn't believe and was bothered by the fact that my last name was Smith. She then proceeded to get mad at us for about 10 minutes and basically told us not to come back (I didn't completely understand the conversation, but I could tell she was not happy). 

A cool story from exchanges though was we went to this door of an apartment type home, and as we were walking up, there were some kids coming down stairs. I can't remember the name of the person we were looking for, but we asked the kid the name of the person who was living there (since they said that the person there was their grandma or something). The name the kid told us didn't match the name we were looking for, and we told her who we were looking for. Well, this kid's name happened to be the same as the person we were looking for. Long story short, we asked to speak to the kid's mom. She took us up, met the mom, taught her some, and we were able to set a return appointment. Even though we didn't find the person we were looking for, we found someone else. So that was great!

Saturday, it was the beginning of General Conference! It seems so weird that it is General Conference again because I feel like we just had it. How time flies! Throughout it all, I think the biggest point that was discussed was that we can't forget that we have divine worth and potential. We are children of God. How great is that?! 

Yesterday was good. It was super long though with 3 wards and 3 ward councils. We started at 7:30am and didn't finish until 5:30pm (with a 30 minute lunch break in there). On the bright side, it was the Primary Program for all 3 wards. I love the Primary Program because even kids can testify son strongly of simple gospel truths. And they are super cute, too! Last night, we also went to a Bishop's Fireside for the youth at Bishop Lopez's home. It was really fun. What they did was they had a competition to see who could build the highest tower out of a select few items. After all that, they had to go through the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet and relate at least 3 of those topics to the activity we just did (btw, I was able to relate all of them to the activity). They went around to each group and and had them say the topic and how it related. I think my favorite was a girl stood up and said dating because it talks about how a date should be planned, and if not, it could be a disaster like some of the structures that were built. The point in this activity though was that all things can be related back to the gospel somehow. This is very true. We can take anything, and find some gospel principle to talk about. We just have to be aware of the things around us.

Also, this morning we played sand volleyball at a park. It was really fun, but it was like the worst sand ever. It was basically rocks ground up, and it wasn't very fine. We even found lots of rocks in the sand. On the bright side though, my feet are nice and smooth from all the exfoliation they got from that sand. 

Anyways, I love y'all!

Sister Smith

Wedding! 

Wedding!

Weekly dog pics

Weekly dog pics

Sand volleyball crew

"I feel so high!"

So on Tuesday, I drove a Nissan Rogue that was assigned to Sister Godfrey's area in the mission because it needed to get the tires checked, and Sister Godfrey can't drive. It was really weird to drive though because I have driven smaller cars since I started my mission. I turned to Sister Godfrey and said, "I feel so weird. I feel so high!" Out of context, it could be really bad haha

And then today during zone sports, we were playing chair soccer. The ball hit the tables, and the tables leaning up against the wall fell over, and someone else got the ball. Thus, I said, "the tables have turned." At least Hermana Young laughed and said that she misses those jokes (since she was my roommate last transfer). 

Anyways, this week was crazy and weird in a way. Sister Talbot went home, and so I was companions with Sister Godfrey for about 24 hours (and this is my fourth time thus far to be companions with her without being on an exchange with an STL or something). It was good though because we were able to make plans on how we wanted to transition Saprina from my area to her area (since she covers the YSA ward). We also went finding in a part of her area Monday night, and it reminded me of my first area, which I am glad I don't serve in anymore. I guess I just got used to going into areas and neighborhoods like the ones we went into Monday night, but now I am not used to it. 

Tuesday, I got Sister Clark. Then, we had dinner. Dinner got pushed back a little because the members we were eating with invited their neighbor to also come and have dinner, but she couldn't make it until 5:30. Needless to say, we waited for the neighbor. Tuesday night, I learned Apple is the forbidden fruit. I was showing the 20 min Restoration video. We were using Apple TV, and it just didn't want to work properly. We got it to at least start playing, but couldn't get it full screen. Then, when it was time for the First Vision, it started cutting the sound in and out. Therefore, Apple is of the devil lol. 

When we went home Tuesday night, it was weird to walk into our apartment and not have anyone else there since I have always had roommates while on my mission. It's kinda lonely in a way, but it is also nice to have my own bathroom and closet. Pros and cons to everything. 

Another exciting thing that happened this week is we got locked out of the church building. For some reason, our key no longer works. This presented a problem when we wanted to have a lesson on Friday in the church, and our key was not working (which we found out right before the lesson). Our investigator was already in a bad mood, and this didn't help. This lesson ended up with the investigator yelling at me and the member who brought her and then storming off to walk home. We had a drop lesson the next day...

On the bright side, we had 10 INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH this week!! The Cannan family came for the first time, plus a friend of the wolf family who wants to take the missionary lessons and be baptized. And then we had some others who come pretty regularly. Also, Christian and Aaron received the priesthood this week, so that was awesome!

So yeah. Just another week of missionary work!

I love y'all!

Sister Smith

When this is your face in the first pic with your new companion (it was jokingly because she accidentally hit my bun)

Space Team reunite! (It's a joke we have from our last apt when we lived together. Now the companionships are mixed up)

Look! I killed my breakfast in my bathroom 

I finally found faith! 

Weekly dog pic

Butterfly

So our roommate, Hermana Young, will always say "Mariposa!" every time

we see a butterfly (since that is butterfly in Spanish). We found one

on the ground that was mostly dead, so we brought it in and put it on

her desk. We left a note that said, "it BUTTER not FLY away." And then

later I added, "now that it's dead, it's probably not in a very merry

pose." (So I made a pun using English and Spanish.)

Anyways, this week was good! Christian, Aaron, and Carson were all

baptized on Saturday! It was such a good baptism! Aaron is autistic,

but he is super sweet and he definitely added some humor to the

baptismal service. After he was baptized and changed, he walked out

and said "I'm here! That wasn't so bad." The Spirit was so strong. As

missionaries, we always do a presentation, usually on the Restoration.

President Townsend was there, and apparently our Restoration

presentation was one of the best because he went home and told Sister

Townsend that who then told us last night. So that gave us a

confidence boost.

Also, Sister Talbot and I sang in sacrament meeting for one of our

wards, so that was nerve wrecking. But I made it through. We did a lot

of running around and stuff this week to eat dinners with people from

Sister Talbot's old areas. But it was fun.

Also, Saprina had an awesome experience. We invited her to pray about

a baptismal date, and she did! And, she described her experience like

this, "I was praying about it, and it was so clear. It was all white,

and in black letters October 22 appeared." Needless to say, she is on

date now. This is an excellent example of how we can and will receive

answers to our prayers when we are sincere.

Mhmm. What else. Oh yeah, transfer news. So I knew I would be getting

a new companion since Sister Talbot is going home. So I'm staying in

my area and will be companions with Sister Clark.

Love y'all!

Me while driving, "Look, Blue Bell truck! Sister Talbot, take a picture!"

We have a normal district I promise

Smith Family. They are so much fun!

Larry and Maria

Wolf family baptism!

Weekly dog pic (we also washed her for service)

Sister Glynn

Bye Sister Talbot