Week 20 - December 16

Wow what a busy week.   we are all getting ready for Christmas but we feel its so weird because its so hot.   We found out sunday morning that a lot of missionaries are going to be singing a Christmas song on Friday. We had our first practice yesterday and everyday, yes, even today we will practice.  We are having a Christmas party tomorrow all day pretty much, we are excited for it all. We don't know where we are going to skype we been trying to find a member but no luck.  Lots are leaving or have a lot of family over. One family's not sure yet, but we will find something we should find out when we are skyping today or next monday hopefully.   No one really knows yet. we haven't seen our investigators this last week because we had a lot of meetings and then they've fallen through.  We had a sister on Saturday we were getting ready for a baby shower when she went in to the hospital not feeling good she lost her baby.  8 month pregnant and she lost it.  So sad, and now our bishops wife went in because she wasnt feeling good.  Not sure how shes doing yet.  Lots happening this week, but the blessing is that the babe is with God. Its a blessing that we know this and that someday they will meet.

well love you all

Hermana Smith

Week 19 - December 9

wow what a week we took our companion on wed to the terminal (bus station) to send her on her way with he companion,we have a district leader Elder connoly he was my district leader in  the MTC small mission no just haven't seen very much of it yet at our lunch on Friday a 13 yr old member  walked in with out a shirt and left fast his mom came in and sad the he was so embarrassed"the sisters saw me with a shirt I'm going to die it was so embarrassing" really funny. We didn't have any investigators come to church  yesterday muy sad but it rain hard we couldn't hear the speaker talk at all it rain so hard you couldn't see wow amazing lucky it stopped by the time church was over, We have amazing investigators one at first said she would listen but not really interested in religion but now she asked us what does she need to do to get baptized get married so shes been talking with her boyfriend who is a less active she lives with and the are going to chose a date and shes trying to get him to come to church with her its so amazing we hope they can chose a date soon because it takes about a month we've been told so we are trying to figure out the marriages here, but i would like to ask all of you we have a dead time of the day its the siesta  they really love it here and is so hard to find anyone in the streets and well as answering the doors stores are also closed so no one is around what advice do you give? what ideas do you have for us love to know  and i hope everyone is going to be there on Christmas i don't know when we are calling yet no ones been told so hopefully soon

Week 18 - December 2

Holy Cow i cant believe its December already, time really flys well its transfers again and me and Hna Tanner will be staying in Mendoza, our other comp Hna Cerrato will be leaving to Maipú funny its pronounced like this "My Poo" its a joke with the Americans. well this week was great we had 4 assistants at church we are so excited, the elders in our ward had a baptism on Saturday and our zone leaders said we cant go unless we have a investigator we called and invited everyone but none as far as we knew were coming, so we sadly went home the baptism was at 9 in the night so we went home and planed for the next day, well Sunday we found out that we did have an investigator come she is 15 and amazing her dad is Evangelist  but she and her mom are very open we are very excited, the area is staring to open up more and i know its the lord blessing us for being obedient and working hard. Well i know i missed thanksgiving so the one thing im grateful for is that i did not get spaghetti with hot dogs on thanksgiving that is my least favorite meal here in Argentina, but the members make it with love for us so shouldn't complain i love you all so much and hope you have a great week

Week 17- November 26

Buenas día everyone

this week has been great my companion and i received a new companion Hna Cerrato from Honduras, she is fantastic we had 2 investigators come to church  1 German 23 is slow to understand our purpose but came to church so we are very happy and he is starting to read the scriptures too the other is a new family kinda the girlfriend is a member but less active and has a daughter about 3 and the boyfriend is a convert. the first time we met him he looked so sad but did look a bit happier after we had been there for a while the came to church it was great he wants to be baptized but the need to get married first so it will be good science he already has that desire, today is much cooler its been raining cats and dogs seriously i haven't seen it rain this much for a long while, but i love it its great our DL is amazing to he really tries to help us when we need it i grateful for the help of our leaders and the love of our families this is an amazing time its truly the last days and we need to speak bold, its amazing when the spirit teaches because we are not truly teaching  but the spirit is.

i hope you have a good week i love you all 

Hermana Smith 

Week 16- November 18

Week 15 - November 11

Buenas Día everyone, This past week we have had a few changes in the way we count our lessons, and such so now numbers are put lower and we focus on better lessons and the people even more my companion hna Tanner and i are quite happy, i always felt pressured to have high numbers but the changes are going to help. we have been teaching a 12 year old girl Trinidad she goes to church with her friend most Sundays, her mom is a less active and dad is not a member both are very nice but wont sit in on the lessons and don't really care that we are teaching their daughter shes not sure if she wants to be baptized, something scares her we are not sure what but she knows that if she gets baptized its a good thing, also teaching Don Pedra a 50ish man who is very open feels the spirit when we come but still hasn't come to church, said that he waiting for god to show him the right church we have tried to help him understand that he needs to act its part of faith there are a new family we are teaching is Buchanan the dad is a bit different, definitely the one in charge but we feel if he wold stop trying to teach us and let his wife and daughter,speak they would learn more the wife and daughter are more open so i hope we can get to teach them the father believes in all the prophets, even Joseph smith but not in the living one says the holy ghost is the profeta, we have heard about the stuff in the Philippines my companion has a friend there he went with out food for 4 days not to long ago and now another disaster, wow when i think i have it hard i think of the others i mean all i dont have is water in our apartment luckily the members do so we are bless to go and shower and leave our laundry at the members home this morning, we had rain yesterday it got pretty cold but i loved it thought it felt so good, its becoming tourist season so we met a few people from Ireland,England and one from Africa a British colony i think its fun to see where people are from most don't know any Spanish and still spend a lot of time here it would be a lot of fun.  So something interesting we found out this week is that we think we are cousins my comp hna Tanners mom maiden name is Kunz from Driggs ID she knows shes from one of the wives of a John Kunz but thats all kinda funny who you meet. well i love you hope you send pictures from halloween and tell me all about thing 

love Hna Smith   

Week 14- November 4

Ok this week we have run all over the place for lessons, had lesson cancel, spent a lot of time walking around talking with people. In the center plaza there has been a festival of sorts its great to see but we don't have time to really look.  We met a prostitute, she hates doing what she does but she cant figures out any other way to support her family its so sad.  When we met her she was waiting for a client because her kids haven't eaten all day- that is why she was working. Its so sad, she doesn't live in our area, so we cant help her. Our investigators are learning slowly. Hopefully they will realize the importance of going to church.  Its getting hotter thank goodness.  We have AC but we have water trouble. I don't understand why the whole city has the same problem. But the lord will bless us, I know its all going to be fine.  We do have water it comes and goes but at least we have it.  Im grateful  for it. hope you all have a great week.

Hna Smith 

week 13- October 28

Wow ok, its my first real week in Mendoza.  We still don't have a ton of work yet but, we are building on it.  I love the area the people are so kind and loving.  we had lunch con members from Peru they make spicy food, wow i do miss a little bit of spice. In rice and beans it was so good. Our mission president was at church yesterday- we didn't think we would see him but he was there.  Our president is really amazing he loves everyone. my companion is better and so we worked as hard as we could. Its hard in the city because people are from everywhere and don't want to listen. But we will keep trying. With the Lords help and love he will help us in our trials. I know that everything in life happens for a reason even if i don't understand the reason. I feel blessed to have the gospel and the knowledge it has given me to know that there is a place for everyone to receive the gospel and that the children of god will be with him if they died at an early age.  This gospel is true and i know our families will be together forever one day.

week 12 -October 21

Hola me familia

so guess what, I had an emergency transfer, this last week. I love my last companion and area but me and my new companion Hna Tanner are opening a new area I'm in Mendoza Central.  I'm in a ward not a branch that's hardly a branch but it my mission presidents home we had 2 days of work and then we had zonda its a strong wind that makes people feel sick because its up high and lots of pressure on us anyway Han Tanner never experienced zonda before and felt really sick the members took us home and we went to church Sunday so we can get to know the ward and let the ward know that they have sister missionaries there but she started to feel really sick again so another member took us home and we have only just came out to do emails dont know how she now but we might not be able to do everything we to today but i pray she gets better soon, we have one new and progressing investigator we are to meet with him again this week. So we are excited to have someone its harder and bigger than our last areas because its almost all apartments if not there huge houses and don't want to listen so we really need the members help here I'm excited to work here the elders have had much success a baptism this last Saturday and another baptism this coming Saturday the members are amazing hopefully, we will get things down fast so we can find those we need It was mother day yesterday so happy mothers day everyone hope you have a great week hope i more to tell you next week

love Smith

Week 11 - October 14

Hola mi familia

estoy muy bien, trajbar mucho no investagators progresando pero esta bien.

Im doing great working hard in my area trying to teach the people here, its starting to get hot but it verys from day to day. The church is true and i love the lord have a great week

love smith 

Week 10 - Argentina

To my family i have nothing much to say. This week general conference was great I loved it!! we had to temporarily drop our investigator a girl of 13 she knows the Church is true,but her mom does not like us or something like that she asked that we don't come back so we are going to leave the family alone for a while. yup that all my comp had a meeting in Mendoza i went with the other sisters 2 day she was sick in the penchcion(apartment) and conference our work days dwindled to nothing, but she feels a bit better this week and we are going to work as hard as we can to get the gospel to these people who need it. So its going to be a great week hope you all listened and took note of conference because its was fantastic love you and hope you  have a great week.

Week 9 - Argentina

This week has been great, we  had our zone come to my area again but this time it went a bit better we are finding people better and they are actually more willing to listen one of our progressing investigators is a 13 yr old, she did accept a baptism date but her mom told us she will not give her daughter permission to be baptized but its OK if we come over and teach the grandparents are very Catholic and is visiting for 2 months from Columbia so we are not sure if its just because of the parents or if the mom really feel that way she was more open before her parents came. 
We had a 70 come on Sunday and speak in sacrament and teach RS and P together. It was good from what i understand.  He was teaching about growth and how the members are to help and what they are supposed to do, we thought they were going to be combining the 2 branches but no they didn't its finally supposed to warming up but we keep getting cold winds from the Andes mountains and storms on the mountains my companions and i keep taking turns on being sick lately I'm fine i had one day i didn't feel very good but my comp has a cold or flu and the medicine here has been making her feel weird so iv been switching a lot being with the other companionship. we pray that our investigators will gain a testimony for themselves and i know that  if they do reed pray and go to church their testimonies will be strengthened, its upon the foundation of our savior that we can know for a surety of that this is true Helaman something... a scripture mastery that i didn't quote right

love you all have a great week smile and laugh a lot 

Han smith    

Week 8 - Argentina

Wow its been a crazy week! we had a mission meeting on Thursday with Elder Nuñez.  It was great!  Well, what I got from it. I saw almost all the missionaries from my mtc district, it was great. We also had an activity day on Saturday - only one person from my branch came but we also had a baptism right after the activity. A 15 year old, who was in a accident about 2 years ago, he lost his whole family and lives with his grandma.  He is also missing some of his skull. He is amazing he was not my baptism, but the other sisters.  We have 4 progressing investigators they are reading and this week we are going to see them again.  We have had snow again so i don't know when it will get warm here but soon i guess.  i love you all lots 
hope you have a fantastic week  

Week 7- Argentina

Wow, this week has flown by.   I've had hard days and not so hard days, but the hard days are the days i learn the most. We have met 2 sisters who are catholic and really open to the gospel. They dont drink or smoke because they think its stupid and pretty much believe in everything we believe. The only problem is that the their preacher said he had the same experience as jose smith. I dont know what will happen but we hope as they read the book of mormon they will feel the truthfullness and gain a testimony. 

I had exchanges on saturday so i was leading my area. Man i was worried, the sister doesnt know any english and i only know a little spanish.  She is from bolivia and she is so sweet and a fantastic missionary.  I have been able to speak with people on the streets more. That has been helping me learn the spanish and feel more confidant in teaching. i still have a ways to go but the more i study the more i realize the importance of a strong testimony and knowing why you go to church.  I go not because of the menbers but because i want to and because the lord wants me to.  i might not understand what is going on in church but feeling the spirit makes my week better. Last week it hit about 80 and then we had zona - its really strong winds that make people feel sick. Now its cold again and snowing a little the last 2 days.  Its supposed to be the last of the cold untill fall.  Thank you for your support i love you all. The church is true i know the book of mormon is the word of God, its true and here as a testamony of God and his son Jesus Christ

Hna Smith

Week 6 - Argentina

Well its transfer week and i am staying with my companion in Tunuyan.
My area is very nice i see the montañas every day inbetween the houses. I really want to fix every bodies teeth, well those that have teeth. I love the people, our branch has been really small, but the members are fantastic!  We have met with  a new family and were able to leave the book of mormon with them.  We are planning to visit them again this week.  
My companion has a 2nd cousin who has been in our district.  He is now our district leader .  Our elders quorum pres and his wife  want to adopt me. They are trying to help me with the language. One of their daughters lives in utah- in roy. lol small world.  tried to send a video but it didnt work so oh well. Hope you all have a great week. 

hna smith

Week 5 - Argentina

OK this week has been full of......well stuff.

Starting on tue we had a sister from tupengato come by herself because her companion had to be at a training. We were doing exchages and the other sisters hna Keller nad Cox went to mendoza for a doctor apt. Well, they left and when it was time to go pick up the sister from the terminal(bus station) we couldnt get out of the house. Our keys didnt work! We looked around trying to figure out how to get out - We cant go through the windows because there are bars on all of them. We took the hinges off the door but we still couldnt open the door. We were stuck. So the sister was wating by herself at the terminal and we couldnt get out of the house. We called the missionay couple that helps us out a lot. The other sisters keys work but ours dont.  He was going to drive down the keys so we could get out but, one of the office elders said that was stupid to have him drive all the way down for that. He said to call a member and see if they could help with the lock.  We called the only member who can help us: Hno Molto.  None of us had enough money for a locksmith to come.  Its about a 1000 pasos i had about 200. Eventually we had 2 elders and a guy (who helps out when things go wrong at the houses) after they call and ask if we are sure that we are stuck in the house. We have a gate and middle door and then our door.  If it was the middle door we would have climbed on the roof and got out that way, we are not stupid.  Then they asked if there was a key stuck in the door, did we try to fiddle around with the key? We tried it inside outside and upsidedown. Any way they came from Mendoza didnt even ask the sisters who were in mendoza for their keys. They climbed on the roof looked at the small windows which have bars on them. Then they asked for our keys to get in. They couldnt open the door they tried all the keys and nothing. They cut the bars off the window by the door then climbed in and cut the lock off the door and put a  new lock on.  We have a video i'll try to send it wed.  Normally the weekly planning which took alll day. It felt like a normal friday. We had district meeting lunch wes a pick up so by the time we got lunch we ate it at our church. We didnt want to walk all the way home only to turnaround and go all the way back its about 15 blocks to the church from our house and another 10 to where we picked up lunch. Its been fun and we have all felt a bit sick this week.  Sat was my birthday - the sister we had lunch with made a huge cake for my birthday and gave us all of it to take home.  it is good.  Sunday we barely had 20 people at church, it was so sad.  The other branch had about 70 - that was great! Our president was so happy we started choir and a few came, but it was the first day. So hopefully we will get more next week thats my week. it sounds like everybody had a interesting and busy week.

love you all 

hna Smith

PS hope you all get a good laugh because i did

Week 4 - Argentina

Hola familia,

 My companion Hna Chamberlain, is from wallawalla Washington. She is a mechanic; loves working on cars. My other companions are Hna Cox from kaysville utah and Hna Keller form Brunes Arres. I love them all to death. We have been told that we are ending the cold season but it hasnt happened yet.  We have 5 mission curses: 1 to get peed on by a dog. 2 peed on by a kid. 3 pooped on by a bird. 4 fall in the usakea(ditch like sewer). and 5 getting kissed on the lips by an old man.  Apparently all this and more happened to a sister.  That poor sister. We have 2 progressing investigators one wanted the BOM and was going to pay for it. But no, of course its free. She read a little of it but didnt have time, so we are going to go back to visit again - hopefully she has more time.   The other is a teenager.  We gave him the BOM and a specific time to come back when they are going to be home. Many say "i am usually home at this time" and we show up and they are not there. Its sad, but we wont give up on them that easily. I recieved the dear elder letter - so it works.  I was also told if anyone plans to send me a box not to have anything thats worth more than 25 dollars and a note saying 10 dollars or something like that.

have a great week

herman smith  

Week 3 - Argentina

Hola familia,

Well this last week has been crazy and this week is crazy as well after emails last week it started snowing so it was really cold it usually doesn't snow in the valley so this winter has been weird for everyone here we had a blitz where my zone came to help us in our area so now we have more work to do its great except one sister is sick so i stayed with her while she and my companion went to all the lessons i have a bit of a cold that acts likes its gone but then come back for a bit its starting to really bug me lunes is usually our p-day but we had interviews and then we also had district meeting which we usually have on Tue so i was at the church all day and we had a branch activity because of a holiday the had on Sunday its day of the children they really like there holidays here so i really only go to work an hour which bugged me because i only have 1 year left its weird to think that but that's it anyway tonight I'm leaving my area and spending the night at the mission office because i have to go to some offices in Mendoza for my visa i am here on a tourist visa so i should get my visa soon after i go to the offices so I'm not sure what time ill get back to my area on wed the food here is very good so is the bread (pan) everybody thinks I'm from Argentina unless they here me talk first and they love that I'm small. i feel like a teddy bear so that's my crazy week we are getting my sisters this next transfer but  i hope i don't train because i have a hard time understanding the map and how to find people let alone say there names but its good hope you all have a fantastic week  love you all

hna smith  

Week 2 - Argentina

Here is what is going on: We have lots of less actives who don't consider themselves to be less active and we are trying to get our branches into wards. That is our hope.  

We don't have a washer or anywhere to go to wash our clothes so we do it in our kitchen sink and hang them on a line hoping that they will dry fast but that is not our luck. 

We are "pink washing" which is where sisters come into an area that previously only had elders and on top of that the area was going to be closed. So we have so much work to do that we are hoping for some miracles and we are doing everything we can to ensure we can get those blessings.
We are in the city and there are lots of dogs that roam the streets. I have seen a few parrots by summer we should see more and the Andie's mountains are close by.
Hope you all have a good week

Hna Smith

Week 1 - Argentina

I've made it alive for almost one week. i got to argentina on tue morning and was in tha capital all day. Finally took another airplane to mendoza and got in at about 9:30pm.  Met our president and had dinner at 10:00 and  then finally went to bed at about 12:00 and up again at 6:30 had meetings and such.  I didnt get to my area untill after 9.  I spent 3 days traviling, fun stuff.   Anyway, we are working in an area that was going to be closed and only had elders. Now we are trying to clean it up.  Its hard to understand everyone but I trust the lord and know we will find them. I havent had many meals with members yet but its good working hard to get to know the area and streets.  Hope you all have a good week love you all

Hna smith

Ogden Mission week 17 -The Visa has arrived!

Wow ok we got our Visas and heading out on moday I got the box love the stuff in it pretty much had that for breakfast.
 I'm very nervous but excited as well.  This week is weird so first we found out about our visas then we had zone conference monday and we are in the pioneer parade tomorrow in ogden. so fun, the weekly planning on friday so I do need to start packing up and getting ready to leave seems weird because I love the people here.  so ben had leaches but I got bit by barbwire fun times  so dont try to pet a cow by barbed wire it doesnt work out very well. well love you lots love hearing from all of you have a fantastic week. =0) 

Ogden Mission week 16

So a new transfer has started and we are having new experiences. I have spent 12 week knocking on certain doors and never once have they open to us but this week we were able to get a door to open we also had another door just about slammed in our faces it was a english lady so we were not going to bother her to long anyway but hopefully someday she be open  my companion is a sister who was in my MTC district  so its great we are working hard on the language and the 12 week program the whole mission is doing this program even our Mission pres and his wife, its been hot and our apartment doesn't have AC but we manage ok we have at least a fan we are excited and hopeful for a baptism this transfer I hope all is well with everyone I love you all hope your week is great

Hermana Smith

Ogden Mission week 15

Well this last week has been fun Saturday we had a member baptism where we had a new investigator come with her 5 yr son Benjamin he is so cute, our companion Hna. Marcum left Monday to go home  to Ohio and I am staying in Hyrum again this transfer President feels we (the visa waiters) will be leaving this transfer so we will see if he's right. Elder Sherman is going to be in my district actually I think he is going to be my new DL  my new companion is Hna Scheiss she was in mt MTC district so its all good she is amazing and I'm glad we finally get to be companions and on this Saturday I will officially hit my 5 month mark wow that was fast and with all the new changes in the missionary work its going to be amazing how fast the lords work will spread  I know that it is the time and we all need that scene of urgency to do the lord work 

Con mucho amor

Hna Smith 

      

Ogden Mission week 14

This week been great I had a couple of elders get a hold of my "parents" what do I need to say. . .  ummm don't tell embarrassing stories at least until I'm out of this mission.

 I met Elder Sherman and Elder Yourgesen how ever you spell it they seem nice apparently you forgot to tell me about the missionaries because they acted as if I should know them and I had no idea, it was funny all the same.  Anyway this week I went to a musical fireside in Roy it was fantastic, our whole mission is going to do the 12 week program because our president feels like that what we need  so yeah fun its been so hot I'm melting of course I'ts not as hot as home and we have had some great lessions this week and some that have fallen through which is sad but we are  not giving up on them I met my first Wicken and Jehovah Witness yesterday that was fun umm think thats everything hope you have a good week no visa yet I'll let you know as soon as I find out love to hear from you all

have a great day

Hna Smith  

PS I got the shirt dad sent and I'm wearing it today

Ogden Mission week 13

This last week has been busy we had our Mission Conference, The Meeting of the dispensation AKA the Broad Cast for church leaders, we have an activity on saterday it was a desert contest and we have been inviting everyone and the cats mother to it we thought many people would show up including Non members less actives we were excited, but no.  Only members showed and not to many either but enough that we could do it,me and Hna Shrevee went to visit our investagator and see if we coul teach him the next lession but he was drunk well at least had a hangover so we will visit him from time to time and see if we can teach him again,a lot of appointments have been cancled so that makes us sad but we can come back I know that in the lords time they will be ready and I want to be there to help them when they are I know the church is true and that it has changes lives even my life for the better.

I love you all and hope you have agreat week

con ama 

Hna Smith

Ogden mission week 12

So we are having a missionary broad cast,  well I think its for everyone. Its supposed to be the meeting of the dispensation.   we also are having our mission conference in Ogden at our mission office (its the address when ever you send me anything).   My companion and I have been practicing on friendly knocking it gets pretty funny somedays.  While we were tracting one day a car full of boys drove past us and yelled "we love you" it was funny, sister shrevee and I committed an investigator to baptism on the first lesson.  So we now have a baptism in this transfer.  I'm so excited! Sister shrevee came in a transfer behind me when I first came to hyrum.  that was her first transfer. We are very excited because it was just us, our companions went to another lesson.  Any way we have been focusing on finding and now have like 8 new investigators. we have had commit to baptism before we can consider them as a new investigator and if they say yes to the date then we get one with a date.  other wise its just a new investigator.  well its been hot and I'm learning a lot I pray for you all love you tons 

Hna Smith

Ogden mission week 10

Hey,

We had transfer.  I am staying in hyrum and our vias are comming in so the ones that have their visa are leaving the 17 of june.  So if you dont hear from me that week its because I on my way to argentina.  its been a good week and I have high hope for this transfer. I feel the work is going to be moving forward and no longer at a standstill. Have a great week love you all

Hermana smith

Ogden mission week 9

Wow what a week

The heat wave then rain and cooler weather, now it's warm again. 

 We had a birthday party for our DL and sang to our presidents wife because it was also her birthday.   I also got to see a Zebra and Zonkey and ride a camel. It's not in the white hand book just no riding horses.  Ok it was fantastic.  We also had exchanges again this week.  No baptisms in my area yet I have faith there will be. I went to my DL pants burning (year mark)at a members home the lady was scary, just saying, but it was nice of them to let us come and do that.  

My first area has been having lots a baptisms now,  they just about baptized a whole family.  It's so exciting, I love it here and hope I learn more and teach better  I love it and hope you all have a Good week

Hermana Smith

Ogden Mission week 8

So this week went about like this: Wed zone meeting (its every wed) Thur Service project, Fri Spanish  training, Sat not much, Sunday Mothers day,  Monday Pres. interviews and today is P-day.  That is about my week.  I went on splits with the English sisters and ran into Spanish   I attempted to speak to them.  It was good practice because I was the only one that could really understand whats going on.  I still don't know about my visa  but the work it is great and I love the people.  I wish I could already communicate better with them but that will come with time.  I love you all hope you have a good week.

Hermana Smith

Ogden mission week 7

Ok so this week  weather has been crazy we woke up one morning to snow it didn't stay thank goodness and it down poured rain all last night, so the area we are in has lots of animals like tons of cows  but there are also buffalo, ponies, horses, a zebra, peacock, donkey/mule and a mix of a zebra and donkey, lamas so we are trying t get pictures with all the animals before we leave this area.   And now that I back in my area I can say that it was weird to be in Roy for 24 hr the members teased me about living at home for my mission and that I should just drop by the house and say that I'm tracting in the area  yeah no I was pretty close to winco if that's a reference for you ummm one night I went with the English sisters tracting and my comps for dinner had I can't remember what its called any way it's chicken cooked in chocolate  it's supposed to be good we have leftovers in the fridge so perhaps I'll have that for lunch today. I've started the 30 day shred with my comps and running I'm so sore  but I don't want to get fat so I'm doing it. Sorry I don't remember every ones birthdays I got a email about my visa there still trying to get it that's all I've heard so far, I love the pictures you all have sent hope everyone is ok congrats to Kyle on his mission call the lord love us all and will bless us as we obey his commandments

Hermana Smith

Ogden mission week 6

Wow what a new week!  Monday we had a zone conference from 9-4, a long day, but it was good.   I also got my box, its been fun.  One of our comp. was sick she has kidney stones and other stomach problems so we went to instacare they told us she has a problem with her gallbladder and will need surgery and to go to the emergency room. We did, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong, but her stomach still hurts so they are giving her new meds and if it doesn't help she has to come and see a stomach specialist. It was a fun day at the doctors.  We had to cancel our lessons for that night. I went to the temple today Logan is beautiful and I ran into my friend Danielle Helms so that was fun. We were in the same session together, I am glad to hear everyone is doing well I hope you all have a great week and happy birthday to everyone in may I love you all.

Hermana Smith

Ogden mission week 5 (Hyrum)

We are starting our 2nd week in the new transfer.  We have 4 hermanas to an apartment - most Latinos go to bed early so no one answers their door after 8:00- so with permission it has now become  our language study time, at least for us.  My companion is Sister Gamboa who is also a visa waiter they has placed all visa waiters together as companionship's.  It makes it look like they expect us to leave soon. I doubt it will be soon.  I really like it here I'm learning so much I am speaking more in lessons.  With help, my trainer had a hard time letting me speak but at the same time I didn't know what was going on but I did get to speak some so now our trainer is Pena she is from Honduras and is amazing shes going to force us to speak and get out of our comfort zone she is learning English I think she speaks it well. she has so much to do as she is the trainer of 3. we are finding investigators  so the work is moving on. hope everyone is having a great week.   Talk to you next tue.

Hermana Smith

Ogden mission week 4

Wow 2 months since I left for my mission. Its fantastic we have a great week last P-day I was in salt lake and when I got home we had to walk about 3 miles to pick up our car the English sisters borrowed it for a meeting in Ogden the day before so on our a way found a dog who followed us all the way to the car we gave the dog a ride back  to where we found it there wasn't a name or address on his collar but there was a number  and country for CO. so we called and gave a lady our location while waiting for a police to come and pick up the dog the owner found us so there the dog went home a moment later we received a call from the police who wanted to know if we knew we called CO yes we did and that the owner had found us and had just moved to Logan from CO so on our way to make an apt we see a drunk driver so we follow the person home stopped for every stop sign but the headlights of oncoming cars was a different story almost hitting 2 cars and 2 pedestrians the person made it home safely and no one was hurt that was our experience, Yesterday was my comps Birthday we also had service project yesterday morning for lunch we went to Angie's and cleaned the sink "it's a little sink full of ice cream" Way to much for anyone person but great for a group. Tomorrow is transfers I am going to Hyrum and my trainer is having 2 new sisters to train one is a visa waiter the other is for this mission I am going to be The companion of a visa waiter so I am exciter I already know her and she is amazing all Spanish sisters are training new sisters we are getting about 12 sisters including the visa waiters tomorrow.

So keep praying for peoples hearts to be softened to recieve the gospel The church is true

love you all

Han. Smith

Ogden mission week 3

 I would have wanted to go with you (if I had seen you at conference) so its good we didn't see each other I really would have gotten home sick. We have had lovely weather, snow in sardine canyon we came down to Ogden last night and stayed at the mission home I love that house it's big and in one room there is 10 beds or 5 sets of bunk beds plus another big room, good for family get together's.  This morning the power went out on us we were getting our makeup on. It was pretty funny, the devil was out to get us and even driving in the snow our tires didn't grip the road so we slowed down and made our way slowly it is cold. I thought winter was behind us guess not.
love megan 

Ogden mission week 2

Tell grandma I love her we have been having one of those weeks nobody wants to listen, there too busy  or we set a time to visit and there not home but we have had a few investigators a 13 year old who has read the entire BOM and is almost ready for baptism his family is catholic and he wants to make sure this is what god wants he just inspires me and makes me feel like if I met Joseph Smith this is who he would be I also met a sister who is going to be baptized on the 20 she is amazing and so ready for the baptism I'm excited for her I cam halfway through the transfer so I think we have a week left before transfers I'll most likely stay here in Logan but I am learning so much I hope by the time my visa come though I 'll be confident in teaching with the spirit, my Easter was great we usually have dinner at a members home but not Sunday so we invited the other Spanish sisters and had fried chicken and rice Faavalu made a Hawaiian drink as well and ended with Ice cream I hope Ella had a good birthday too I'm sorry I missed yours mom I love you and hope your week is great

love Hermana Smith  

Ogden mission week 1

Dear Family my P-day is now Tuesday and I am going to be serving in Logan,I am still in Ogden we had a special sister training yesterday and it really helped my get excited to go out and teach, I heard I will be living in the basement of a members home and that the home is very nice.I have 2 mama's a tia (Aunt) and abula (Grandma) My trainer aka mama is from Hawaii and her comp aka other mama is from New Mexico I already love them I'm going to learn so much from them I know this is the true church and that the work is going forward faster than ever and that there are going to more changes in the missionary work I love you all and hope you have a great Easter and general Conference.

If you are going to send me packages or letters they ask that its  through the US postal services and the address to the Mission home is 

4380 So Orchard Ave.

So Ogden UT. 84403

love you all I forgot what pictures I  have sent  so if there's repeat sorry

I send them in another e-mail

love you all

Hermana Smith

MTC week 5 *new assignment*

wow Ok so this week I received pkg on Monday only 1 bag of popcorn left Tuesday I got the 2 pkg with more cool stuff I'm betting Jacob set the picture of grant so I wont forget him the muddy buddies are gone they were gone the first night as was most of the popcorn by all the hermanas helping me. We played chubby bunny there's pictures. I don't have one of a wrestling match between my comp and H. Hales, had our field day, it was the longest day ever and then after we had to go to class. Some people said they loved it I didn't hate it but I was ready for bed by the time it was over. we have all been reassigned, we have been checking our mission portal everyday and finally yesterday the changes were made. so today we are going to the travel office to find out when we actually leave I think it's still Monday hopefully but yeah... quick with out looking make a guess and tell me where you think i'm going
  District E's resigment 
E. Connolly to las Vegas 
E. Smith Ogden 
E. Mag Ogden 
E. Fullmer Ogden 
H. Page St George 
H. Fairbanks St. George 
H. Hales Ogden 
H. Crawford Ogden 
H. Schiesse Ogden

 So by looking at this I bet you can all guess where I going now yup thats right Ogden UT 10 min for home whats the chances apparently I cant leave Utah I'm not sure if I'm calling if I do it will be today at least that what we have heard so if I dont call you now know I'm sending pictures in the next e-mail love hearing from you.
Mom I keep forgetting just ask Bro or sister Pontius for kalebs address there has also been a change we can now e-mail anyone not just family anymore and they may in the future extend the e-mail time but for now it's the same well have a great week I may see you around love you all and am grateful for the support I have received from everyone.

MTC week 4

Another week down and another one to go I forgot to tell you in my last letter that I meet an Samoan Elder who thinks I look like his sister untill his comp poked him and said wrong color elder so I guess I look like a white Samoan pretty funny I lovved the letters from my brothers Ammon I hope you get better soon and yes you sounded so cool I thought I ganster was writing me you would like the food you can have doughnuts everyday for breakfast or all you can eat cereal of your choice lots of food you cant go hungry I'm ready to leave the MTC, the language is not anywhere near understanding. Jacob I miss you to I hope your having fun with Harrison the elder reminds me of you because he's silly like you Elder connolly reminds me of samuel because he quiet at time but when he want to can talk a lot,what song are you playing together? Ok More news Im getting reassigned I'll find out next Thursday so I should be calling sometime if not I email you when I'm calling. I found daffodils on campus so I'm excited for spring and trying to stay outside as much as possible. It feels so good, I hope Emma gets better soon love you all megan

MTC week 3

Dear famliy this week has been great we had the water turned off at the MTC not to bad 10-6 when no one really uses it, I recieve my Dear elders after dinner every day so if you have a question to ask me make sure its before friday then I can answer it. So I found something interesting the other day as I was studying, in the english Bible Dictonary I came across the word LUZ thats spanish for light but in the english it says its almond tree I thought that was interseting looked at some scriptures that were referenced to it the story of jacob he was traveling and rested in a place named luz and god visited him when he woke he feared that he had done something wrong and made an alter poured oil on it and renamed the place bethel (house of god) any way I moved on and the next day I was studying somewhere in the plan of salvation and came across the mention of the almond tree so I then looked up the almond tree in the bible dictionary, one of the scriptures sent me to genesis with moses and the temple descriptions and their was mentioned a candle stick with 6 branches and almond blossems or leave and lamps added they also had bowels made like almonds then all 12 tribes had to place a rod (stick) i believe in the temple and Arons (Levi) rod bloomed and had almonds on it and it was kept as a testamony to all the tribes. your going to have to leer (read) it your self but I would like to know whats the segificance of the almond tree the even what does a almond tree look like if any thoughts let me know mom talk wwith sandy and sister Richens I want to see what they think as well as anyone else I love you all hope to here from you all soon hermana smith ps I forgot I met an elder smith from england going to germany he live north of london and had some friends who live in lakenheath his famliy moved to the states he likes it here. pss some more pictures for you kristin's e-mail didn't work i'll try the other one next p-day I out of time now love yall

MTC week 2

hola mi familia Im starting my 3 week at the MTC my week staarts on wed not monday I love the letters I get I can recieve letters all week so you can write me any day mail is the highlight of our day yesterday my comp and I had a cool experience we were trying to study of our investagator in spanish and felt like we were not getting the language well so we said a prayer and opened my scriptures randomly and come upon a vers I had prevesly highlighted I didn't rember it so at one ponit in my life I thought it was important it is Ezickel 3:6 I believe and it talkes about hard language and the spirit teaching any way it was what my comp and I had needed to reed and experience our lession wasnt the best but it was a good to try and help our investagator understand what we believe in. Ok so this is what the Hermans in my room and I do for fun every wed we get New bes and our room window just happens to face the road where they get droped off Hermana Hales is our narator and we call it "The Drop Off" she has recently started giving point if elders come with matching suitcases 20 pt sisters get 10 pt of crying mother,brothers and if they cry themselves its our TV so imageine 6 herman faces presde against a window as new missionaries are being dropped off its the best unfortuntly we cant have our show for long as we are on our way to gym. I love you hope everyone gets better and I'll keep you in my thoughts Hermana Smith Group picture back row : Magdaluyo, smith, Connolly, Pyne (pine), Schiess, Hales,Crawford, front row Fullmer, Fairbanks,page and me second pic is me my and my comp. pic of me studying on TALL

MTC week 1

Well I made it my first week my P-day is friday my comp is Hermana Crawford from gilbert AZ we share a room with 4 other hermanas and we all get along well in our room we have H. Page,(kayesville) H.Hales(california) H. Fairbanks(draper) and H.Sheese(kayseville) the elders are E. Pine who was moved to another zone, E. Mandlyuo(las Vegas) E. smith AZ and E. Fulmer don't remember where hes from I cant send pic the onlu have usb drives the food is ok it makes most of the hermanas feel sick but we need to eat so we do mostly salads and the fruit I'v enjoyed the letters I've recieved so far I hope everyone is feelling better my cold is gone but it's been snowing and I may get another one if i'm unlucky my comp and I have been teaching an investagator we have had about 4 lession and now he's our teacher go figuare we now have 2 new investagators and I can hardly understand what their saying, they tell us to work as hard as you can but dont worrie how do you do that? ugg language is hard. mom can you send family e-mail address to me yours is the only one I know Dad good luck on the other job I 'll keep you in my prayers I love you I am doing well I'm not home sick at all thats a blessing for me. I dont have much to say but I love you all and ask that you keep me in your prayers so I can get the language hope your week is good and i love to here from you and I love pictures just so you know. love hermana smith PS if you want to write me while Im at the MTC please use the dear elder I dont have time to read e-mails.