And June is Ending

This week we had a great zone conference. Sister Monahan talked about how our trials help us. And about how it is important to live in the moment. I especially loved how she taught that we must listen and pay attention to the things the Lord is teaching us every day. President Monahan gave a great talk and helped me to appreciate the Book of Mormon even more. He also talked about discipleship. One thing I really liked that he said was "We must all ascend the mountain of our own character, and at the summit, we will find the character of Christ." 

The scariest and hardest thing of my week was getting surgery on my ingrown toenail. Woohoo. 

This week we met a new investigator and I have really enjoyed teaching her. She is unfamiliar with religion but she understands God's love for her. 

We also have continued teaching our farmer investigator with the goats. His goats had babies. 

My companion and I gave a workshop this week. I learned a lot from studying for it. I love being a missionary because in preparing for my work, I get to learn.

I forgot to take a picture of my first pair of shoes with holes in the bottom. I threw my Holy Shoes in the trash.

I finished the Book of Mormon this week. In the attachments I shared some of my thoughts.

One cool finding experience. we saw a man selling bread (he had a cart connected to a motorcycle. Later on we saw some tongs on the ground. I felt so sad inside, and my companion did too. It was silly because they were just tongs for the bread but we debated if we should pick them up and see if we found him later. but we kept walking. a while later a little boy ran up to us and just stood there. then we said hi to his mom. after talking for a while she mentioned her husband was selling bread. ding ding ding! we went back and got the tongs then we went and taught her. 

Well. Those are some of the things that happened this week. I have really been growing a lot. I am so grateful for all of your support. Thank you for your prayers and letters, and emails and love.  Love you all!

Pictures:

Corn drying. One day it was drying on a basketball court and so I called it a basketball corn. But I didn't get a pic.

For Grandma Lynda specifically: A picture of me and Elder Lind. He is in a different zone but when we have conferences we were combined.

Book of Mormon

--

Sister Smith

To Mom and Dad:

So this was an interesting week. 

Really hard.

But also okay.

I read in D&C 58 and 67 this week. They were good. Although some of the circumstances are different, I needed some of that counsel. 

I fixed a violin and played it this week at a member's house. I couldn't really fix it because the bridge came off but i placed it the best I could and then played I am a child of God for them. 

I had surgery on my stupid toe. I withdrew a lot of money, but I got reimbursed. So don't worry. It seems to be fine. It didn't hurt really at all which kindof worried me because I remember last time it KILLED. 

After I got my toe surgery, we stopped at the mission office and there was a family there visiting with their son who went home in january. they were from tooele. (mom, ask jason and dallas if they know Manzione family). anyway they left. but a few minutes later the mom came back and she was crying and she said she knew I needed a hug and she talked to me about how she had lived in a different country before and how it sucked and how she understands how hard it is but that it's a good thing. and after it's over you look back and see all the things you loved so to try to enjoy it. she was so nice. she took a picture, did she send it to you? 

Another thing. I was talking to a senior couple and sister monahan about my toe because they were like "have you tried different shoes?" and blah blah then the senior sister sat down with me later and said "I have one suggestion for you." and she said that reoccuring problems with physical health sometimes have to do with spiritual/emotional things. She said that I needed to forgive either myself or others. She said that my recurring foot problem translates to that I am harboring feelings of Unforgiveness and it is not letting me move forward, therefore a foot problem. she also said that general authorities and other people go to forgiveness counselors in salt lake sometimes, I guess her dad is a gen. auth, and she said that was something he learned. 

I've been trying to APPLY more holiness give me. I usually pick 2 goals every day so the last few days my goals have been lines from the song. haha.

Remember that apartment we cleaned before my mission? I was thinking about how hard that was to see their living conditions. Then I compared it to what I see every day. It's crazy how perceptions change. 

Haha the other day I felt like crap. we were teaching in like the doorway of a garage and I heard a gross sound. I saw a dog puke and then try to eat his puke. Then later our fellowshipper (50yo man) was like I don't feel good and stood up and was tooting and like had to run to their toilet. Then later that day a cat threw up by us. Then later my companion had to go home really fast because she needed to poop. IT was a weird day. 

Pres Monahan goes home on wednesday. It's crazy. 

I dont know what to do with the extra scriptures you sent... I was thinking of just sending them to sis jenkins but then I also don't want to just give them away if there's someone that really needs them. It's hard too because those things are like gold here and I don't want anyone to be jealous.

Faith quotes this week:

You exercise faith by causing, or by making, your mind accept of believe as truth that which you cannot, by reason alone, prove for certainty. Boyd K. Packer.

The past is to be learned from but not lived in. It is not right to go back and open some ancient wound that the Son of God Himself died to heal...God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and with His help, where you are willing to go...Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "high Priest of good things to come. " keep you eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. Jeffrey R. Holland

Well, I love you a lot. I have a letter written to send with some experiences for you all, and you'll get some in the group email. 

Love you! 

--

Sister Smith

Father's Day

Hello everyone. I have a few minutes long...

Happy Fathers Day to all you wonderful dads and future fathers.

Something funny- I have been making babies cry a lot. I am too white and different I guess.

I met a little boy with down syndrome this week. He and I are best friends now. It was a tender mercy because I have been missing school and stuff and being able to be kissed on the hand and high fiving him was the best. 

My favorite sight this week was one of our investigators coming home from work. He is a farmer. He had a huge armful of something green and then his 5 cambing (goats) following him. I love the strenght and work ethic of the people here. Their examples of diligence and strength help me press forward. 

We have some great investigators right now. Some of them are really embracing the gospel and sharing it with their families too. I am grateful to be able to see the changes in them and also grateful for my abilities from Heavenly Father to learn and answer their questions.

I read in the Oct 2013 Liahona and this is my quote "Missionaries help members with the work, not the other way around." 

Ask the missionaries, they can and will help you. 

I miss and love all of you. Keep being great support. 

--

Sister Smith




To Mom: 

I'm glad you got my letters. I think you'll get more in a week. I don't know if I'll send one this week. I'm lazy. And if I send every week the money will add up haha.

That sounds fun to go to the reunion. 

Maybe next year we can run something together in August or September. I didn't know Ty was doing a Ragnar.

My companion is pretty nice. I like her. We get along well and we work together well. 

I've been eating healthier meals since I've been cooking a lot. We cook together, or switch around. I usually make like stir fry, sometimes we use like sweet and sour sauce, this week I will try the recipe you sent in the dear elder for monggo beans. I like those. 

I wish I could go up to camp with you. Even though sometimes i feel like I'm camping here. Wet dirty smells like smoke and there's trees. haha. 

I love you so much too. 

I got the package with Nutella and things for my companion. and I was excited about the lara bars too since they don't really have things like that here. My companion was excited too. And most of the things had a purple option, which is her favorite color. so that worked out nicely. I love the owl from cooper. 

Thank you for the recipes and for your thoughts. I had forgotten that story about Mary Ann Barker Virgin. I love getting dear elders and letters from you. Hopefully tomorrow I will get the letters you all have mentioned (i usually get mail on tuesday). 

My toe started being dumb again. I had bought some shoes and I think the one day I wore them it squished too much. But it's not too bad yet. So I will just keep wearing the shoes that were okay. The only problem is they are like jelly shoes and they have lots of holes so even if it just rains a little bit my feet are soaked. I guess I'd rather have soaking wet feet every day than bad infected toes though. 

Well, I love you a lot. I miss you. 

Thanks for being the best mom ever. 

Arby 

To Dad:

I'm glad I got to make you a dad because you are also my first dad and you were great. and you are great 

I'm glad you got my letter. I cried while I wrote it. Surprise! I cry every time I think about you thanks a lot. I am trying to go back and forth and remember to answer all your questions in the other email. Sometimes it's hard. But about the priesthood, the only thing I can think of that relates is the Priesthood session of conference. It was really good. It helped me understand and appreciate the priesthood more. I also have been studying 3 Nephi and I realized that the first thing Christ did was ordain people to be able to baptize. So it's important.  

One thing this week is that we visited an LA and he goes to the Catholic church now, and he said he left because he wanted his choice to be his own. That he felt like being mormon was not his choice. He wanted to find the truth on his own. He then started asking us to explain things his Catholic Padre said, like that the bible is all figurative, that Christ didn't fast for 40 days, and he was confused at the catholic church. I bore my testimony and I felt really grateful for the simpleness of the gospel.  

Are you still working at the temple? I have been struggling not being able to go, but I realized how lucky I am. For example, my companion has gone 3 times for baptisms in her life, and 2x for endowment, only in the MTC. So I am trying to look at the blessings I have. 

Love Petunia

I'll Be the One

This will be short, but I hope you're all doing well. 

Yesterday the Philippines had a multi stake broadcast from Salt Lake.

One speaker spoke about being the one. Here, in english, instead of saying, "let me do that," a Filipino will usually say "I'll be the one." 

He related it to our lives and the gospel. We need to be the one. Be the one to refer your friend. Be the one to stand up for what you believe. Be the one to go out of your way to invite, pick up for church, and fellowhip others. Be the one to serve and magnify your calling.

Of course the Savior was really THE ONE. He did it all. And we can apply that in our lives too. 

I am going to testify that missionaries need members. I read a story by Henry B. Eyring. Once he had a friend, and this friend wasn't a member of the church. But he didn't really feel like he wanted to share the gospel with him yet. Then this man was suddenly killed in an automobile accident. Henry B Eyring said he doesn't look forward to after this life when that man asks him "Why didn't you share what you have with me?"

So share it. And if you are one of our friends who hasn't had it shared to you yet, look into it and open your heart. See what you think. Jesus Christ invites all to Come and See.

I love you all. 

--

Sister Smith

A tree with teeth on it.

Sister Nolido and Sister Smith

New companion Sister Nolido

Snippets to Mom & Dad:

I'm excited for packages and letters. So I thought I would get my watch in a package of Sis. Jenkins, but her mom actually sent me a package. She's so nice. She sent like pasta things and candy and cards. I almost cried. Tell her it made me so happy. And I am honestly thrilled to have a watch again.

I'm working on a christmas list. 

News, I got an umbrella. News, it leaks if it rains. hahaha. it's okay though. it will be fine for a while. 

I don't really work out good. but I am committing to work out and eat better. This apartment is better for working out. We have a basketball court with bleachers across the street so I can do real cardio and stuff. I hate pushups though. But I do abs. I had an impression two nights ago that I can only get healthy if dad does it with me. I don't know how, but I need help. Support. I'm pretty healthy though. The best thing ever, WE HAVE A GREAT BLENDER! I have been enjoying smoothies. funny story, this morning I was kindof stirring it and looking down at my smoothie and it got an air bubble and blew up on my face. I laughed. 

Thanks for working so hard on your goals, mom. I got a letter from you and coop this week. 

Yesterday at our conference a little boy kept coming up to me and pointing to my tag. He was just gently touching it over and over. I had been wanting to feel like I should really be a missionary here and it was just a little cute thing. 

Well, I love you all lots. I miss you. 

Transfer and Photos

I got transferred! So that's the news. I am in Villasis now, which is in the Urdaneta Zone. I am really liking my area and companion so far.

 I've started liking mangos. Our apartment has a toilet that really flushes. But it also has big spiders. You win and lose I guess.

 This week's spiritual thought, reread and listen to conference. We are so blessed to have revelation DIRECTLY FOR US FROM GOD. And we get it every 6 months. Also, I took the challenge of Nephi, and of Jesus Christ Himself, to read Isaiah. I finished it yesterday and i learned a lot. I would reccomend using the study guide because the insights are amazing. And like Nephi said, we will be more fully persuaded to believe in our Savior by reading Isaiah.

 Well, I don't really have anything else. It has started raining more. but it's hotter. sayang. I love you all, continue the prayers and support. We need it. :)

Some pictures of me with my zone.
Spiders.
A little girl in our ward.
SUNSETS.
Sis P is so small.

 I think thats all. Ingat po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. -- Sister Smith

Letter to Mom & Dad:

This week was so long and hard and I want to die and come home but I'm also happy and I got transferred. No more fish ponds, now I have fields. My new ward and companion are good so far. the change is good. Sis P is still there. I think she was disappointed. She was sure I'd stay, since usually the trainee stays. I miss them, I didn't get to say goodbye. 

I am glad you are doing lots with your new calling.
don't text and drive. 

I am jealous you were in Idaho. I cry a lot because I miss them. 

I am glad my letter came. I was nervous it wouldn't get there. I will have to send more. 

I can't remember what i wanted you to send in my shoe package. So maybe you'll just have to surprise me. Oh yeah, I need a new eyeshadow. Mine fell on the ground haha. 

I am in a different house. The rain stinks. I am using a crappy umbrella because it's still functioning for the most part, and I don't want to keep buying them so I'm stretching this one. I'll look later today maybe. 

  

I miss the temple so much I think I'll die. 

Sister blake is engaged (surprise)

Sis. Mclain (the one from rigby) is getting married too. She chose mission over marriage and her boy was there when she got home. 

Dearest Dad, I will send you a letter or at least a picture letter next week, but I love you. I hope you have a great birthday. I am so grateful you are my dad. I cry almost every time I think of you. I hope I can be a daughter to make you proud because you make me proud. I am very happy I learned from you, even though it was sometimes frustrating. 

I can't wait to hug you again, and we'll probably cry when we hug again. I have cry baby parents, and I'm a cry baby, I'm even crying right now. 

But Happy Birthday> I will make you a pie when I get home. 

Love you both. 

Oh yeah, mom, I wanted to room with alyssa when she went to school. but she's planning on going on a mission the fall I get home. So it will never happen. :( :( :( 

Also, did Jeffrey r holland speak at stake conference and was he the one that said Do not ever leave the church? when we were little? 

also I just heard the other day L tom perry died? 

also sis p got a card from you. I told her she's lucky, I've gotten no handwritten letters from you in the field. 

-- 

Sister Smith

Dagupan Zone

Life

So this week was pretty good. I am learning and growing, like usual. Some funny things/other things that happened:

Sometimes people say I look like an "artista." I was kindof confused for a long time about why they would think I was like an artist. Then finally this week it clicked. I remembered that artista means actress.... so that was funny.

Also, everyone, the sunsets are great here. 

Also, cows look different, I don't know if I've told you that. 

One day we had a rainstorm. It was pretty sudden. Earlier that day I broke yet another umbrella from the wind. So we hurried and went home to get an umbrella. On the way it stormed and the rain was sideways so it was useless anyway. But later that day I was actually cold for the first time. The air was cold, we were kindof wet. It was a weird thing to feel chilly. haha.

Something they focused on a lot at church yesterday was seminary and institute. I want to encourage all of you to participate. It seriously is such a blessing. 

2 thoughts I had this week during studies:

Most of our greatest examples in the scriptures, especially of missionaries, were not always perfect or ever perfect people. Alma, Alma the younger, Paul, and latter day missionaries in the D&C, even Corianton, were very imperfect and even evil people. What does that teach us? We can change. That means that every one of us, whether just a little bad or maybe living a life of rebellion can accept the invitation to Come Unto Christ and become like Him. Of course we will make mistakes. But our Father in Heaven only has imperfect children. And He works through them perfectly. 

Second, I thought about how the gospel relates to a pool. I was a lifeguard for a long time and I observed a lot of things. Here's what I thought. We have Christ who is like our lifeguard. When we make mistakes, when we go too deep, He will save us. The water can represent the trials and experiences of mortal life. The pool is the world. Satan's plan was to have an empty pool. We would all be safe. We wouldn't even need a lifeguard. But we would never learn to overcome. We would never learn to swim. And there would really be no point to the pool, no point to the world. Luckily  our Heavenly Father filled the pool. And by our experiences we can learn something that isn't natural for us. Our spirits aren't quite made for this world alone, just like as humans we aren't really made to swim. 

Well just some thoughts. Love you all. Have a good week. 

--

Sister Smith

The worms Aubrey has had a lot of. (shudder)

Aubrey's companion sat in dog poop. :(

A little from letter to mom & dad:

Way to go Keaton. Returned with honor!

My toe, fine. Actually great. I'll just buy more cheap shoes and leave all my expensive ones haha.

Happiness, up and down, trying to choose to be happy. 

 

Investigators are hard. It is really hard here. But I am doing my best and I know that if I let go of myself, He will work through me. 

I'm excited for mail and a package ;) Today Sis. P got a card from you. She was really excited. I got 2 letters from grandma howell and a card from shanna wheeler (i forgot if I told you, but she sends them quite often. she's nice)

good luck with the book of mormon goal. You can do it. read chapter 5 of PMG and it will motivate you to share it even more. 

I'm sorry things are slow in Vernal. I hope it gets better. Is there any crazy news in America I should be aware of? I have missed my phone a little lately. I am curious about the weather and news and I want to just be able to snapchat. 

I have thought a lot about the sabbath. It is really hard as long time members sometimes to remember how important the sacrament is. We can do a lot more to make the sabbath better. Pg. 74 PMG is the most important page according to my mission pres so we should probably all follow it. 

I'm glad church was so good for you. I wish I could have heard Keaton talk. I remember his farewell though so that gives me hope that maybe this won't be so long as it sometimes feels. I'm already to 4 months, and also I have about finished 2 of my 12 transfers in the field. So time really does fly. 

Something funny. I just learned last week how to turn on the kitchen water filter. so I wonder how much bad water I've drank/cooked with. We order big 5 gallon drinking water, so it probably wasn't a ton, but still. no one told me.

I got a blessing on tuesday. I felt like I should, even though things were seeming pretty good. last last week I did something cheesy. Someone at the MTC said if you ever struggle to write Joseph Smith a letter in liberty jail. so i did then I kindof just kept pondering joseph smith. in my blessing my DL said "even though you don't understand why all of these trials are happening, know that they will be for your experience and good." it was interesting to get the exact words given to joseph smith. The blessing was a lot of things I have recently personally pondered and studied so it was really good. 

I want you to send me in dear elders/letters family history. Mom, you said while i was in the mtc that someone said they help children through trials or something. So I asked the grandparents, but if you could also find some things. even short sayings/tidbits about them. I think it will help me. 

I had a dream. 

The other morning right before I woke up, I had a dream I was home. I think at first it was jUly 2015. Mom and I went to Emily's house to see it set up for her reception (this is why I think it was 2015) but then we were in a kitchen. and I was talking to mom and then I started crying. I said "my mission was too fast. I didn't get to do everything I wanted. I'm not fluent in Tagalog. I only served in one area, and I only had one baptism." mom looked at me kindof confused. She waited then told me that we were going to go back to the philippines in November to visit and she started talking about some souvenirs and things and we realized that I had forgotten the rest of my mission. She told me before we went back I would have to read my journal for the rest of my mission, because I accomplished a lot more than I remembered. 

So although I am confused by that dream, what I learned was that the sadness and regret I felt is really how I would feel if I came home now. Even though that's what I want sometimes. And I realized I"m writing that journal right now. I have to make it to the end because I haven't done enough yet. So I don't know if that really makes sense but it had an effect on me. Earlier that day I had really started to feel like I could commit to Heavenly Father, so I hope that is confirmation and motivation to press on. 

Yesterday at a member's house we had like chicken noodles and it tasted kindof like chicken noodle soup. I can't wait to eat food in america again. But mom, if you could try to find a couple simple filipino recipes and send them to me. Here a lot of people just use gross salty seasoning packets so I thought maybe you could find some recipes. 

Well I love you. I miss you a lot. I know I'm missing a lot, but then again, weeks and days and hours just go by and I might as well use them the right way.

bye. 

--

Sister Smith