Merry Christmas

This week it rained a little. It's not a white Christmas but I've honestly been a little cold sometimes.

Singing singing singing. I sang a solo of What Child is this on a channel for the whole province. It was terrible but I guess it's an adventure. It has been neat to have a special opportunity to share the gospel this Christmas.

Something wonderful happened this week. I went to a restuarant. and I ate a BURRITO. Like it was a tortilla with meat and everything in side. Heaven. I missed Mexican food. 

Suggested read: Everyone go here. https://www.lds.org/liahona/2015/12/a-witness-of-the-savior-jesus-christ?lang=eng  That is a witness of Jesus Christ given by a great man and apostle. 

Highlighted family! Castillo: One day they were getting of a trike. We talked for a few seconds and they said come to our house anytime!  The next day we called a trike to us and it was the dad! Then... the next day, the same thing. We found their house and it turns out they were taught by the missionaries a long time ago. The missionaries got taken to another area and said that some different missionaries would replace them, but then this family moved. And then, we found them. It has been fun to feel their spirit and desire. Pray for them :) 

Well, that's all folks. I love you all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I am grateful for you and the joy you bring to my life!

I can't see what pictures I'm sending. I hope I sent the burrito. Lots of love. 

--

Sister Smith

Dear Mommy,

I'm excited too. I feel homesick and sad right now. I think it's because my stomach has bothered me for like 11 days. But I'm great! Merry Christmas too. I am about to just open all the presents. I'm tired of waiting. haha. ;)

I think I will be calling you around YOUR Christmas morning exactly because I am too busy on Christmas day being on tv. So just open all your gifts and then eat breakfast and then be ready to see your fat awesome missionary. 

I got the Mark Mabry DVDs. They are great! Thanks! 

Yay fam parties. I miss everyone but that's okay. I was just thinking earlier I want to learn to play the uke too. haha. I miss familyyyy :( I'm going home and crying. Just kidding. I will just eat ice cream with out the crying. Speaking of Icecream I have considered using all the money from rose to have a consistent supply of ice cream. just kidding. haha 

I will settle the debate... I swam in the 400 free relay, and in the 400 medley relay, which I was breast stroke. I also swam the 500.

I love and miss you so much! I hope you received or receive soon my letter I sent with sis Jenkins. 

I'm kindof up and down as today I am 11 months in the mission. I just feel stressed. LIke Im tired. I still feel like I'm a lame person even after 11 months. But I'm also sure I've changed. and I also am excited to come home and I also never want to face that stress. Solution? I'll stop thinking about all that. 

I will send pics next week. 

LOVE YOU!

Christmas is Coming

First off, in the next couple days, search on the website iwanttv.com for Bagong Umaga, Bagong Balita. And watch the episode for 12/14/2015... if you want to watch a thrown together choir sing for 3 provinces of the Philippines. You'll have to play around a little maybe to find it. But it's there, and I'm in it ;)

Second, This week was interesting. We've been trying to find new ways to share our Christmas message. We tried door to door. Nobody let us in, but one guy. And he was very anti-Christ so that put a damper on our evening. So the next day we decided to try caroling. It's a little different here. I guess people that carol just expect money, so every house we went to just either came out angry with some money or sent a child to give us money. We didn't accept it of course. But it was a fun experience, I guess. I even played the violin. But. alas. It wasn't as magical or spiritual as I imagined. But what I learned from all of that is that we need to keep brainstorming and also, just keep trying. 

We visited a girl in our ward who has a sickness that right now her body and mind have really shut down. I asked her if she would tell me her favorite hymn. She hasn't been talking much but she sang the chorus of The Spirit of God with me and it was amazing. Her eyes were closed and her body didn't move, but the song still motivated her enough, although she tired quickly and asked me to stop. 

So this week so far my news is all about music. I love it. I am so grateful for the talents and love for music Heavenly Father has given me because it really has given me so many opportunities. 

We had a wonderful Christmas Conf. I won't tell all the details, but I will share something President Deyro and Sister Deyro shared with us. I think President Deyro's message can benefit us all especially at this time to prepare for the new year. 

5 things:

1. Aim- we need to have ambition in life. What we want to learn, do, etc. 

2. Attention. Where is our focus?

3. Attitude- we've all heard this before, but attitude affects everything.

4. Affection. Where your heart is... 

5. Action. ACT!! You won't achieve until you act. 

He shared those things, and also a TEDed video called What Makes a Hero. Watch it. Think about yourself, and of course remember our true hero and exemplar, the Savior. 

Sister Deyro talked about miracles. I am seeing so many in my life and I am sure you have too. Soooo I have a request. My birthday is in a monthish. and I would love for you to do something for me. 1. Thank Heavenly Father for all the miracles and faith building experiences of your life. 2. Send a short miracle or testimony to my mom who I know would be happy to make all the type tiny and compile a little miracle pages for me. I just was thinking what I want for my birthday and also the next year is to see His hand. Thank you. my birthday is Jan 19, so we should put the deadline Jan 1. But I will accept them after that ;) So technical...

okay. Well I love you all. You are great. Sorry for the lack of pics at the TV studio, as in 0. 

Remember, lives will be blessed as we see the gospel of Jesus Christ as a pattern of living. 

Love Sister Smithhhh. 

a pic of my almost eaten Pb and J that I love so much.

a pic of a letter to you all

a pic of a card we got with the wonderful treats from adopt a missionary. thank you!

-- 

Sister Smith

To Mom:

Ina!

Good quotes I will print that. (Article on Patience from Neal A Maxwell that I sent to her).

They love the adopt a missionary packages! it was wonderful to see some really happy faces. although the one silly thing is they had elders divide the stuff up and some sisters had clothes that don't really fit. but they can just pass them around. 

I'm sad to hear about that dumb stuff happening. I think it's because Tyler is getting ready to go on a mission. Satan is working hard. Stuff is happening everywhere, but I think that we know what's right and like the talks in the christmas devo, we dont' need to fear. but I'm sorry. I feel bad because I am the most expensive child right now. but I hope my mission blessings come to you soon.

You are too nice to send me a birthday package. Grace!

I played the violin this week caroling... hideous. I don't know if it was me or the violin. By the way, the higherish part of the bridge is supposed to be on the right, right? with the higher strings? If not, I'm stupid, if so, I am right. 

Yeah. I'm cute. and chubby. That picture is photoshopped. Just kidding. but it looks flattering I guess.

I have an investigator who looks like an Anderson. Like their cousin Jera if you remember her. 

I held Pres Deyro's grandbaby. He let me! It was so amazing!!! haha. I almost cried. 

I loved 3 Ne 27 this week. and also a lot of things. 

Well. That's about it. I think. I love you so much!!! 

OH LOOK at who I saw in the Liahona. Loralei. diva? 

Okay. Bye!

I miss you. I am so glad I get to see your face NEXT WEEK. 

To Brandon:

There are so many miracles every day. especially with finding people. Although they don't always accept the gospel, I think a lot of spiritual experiences are to help us grow, and not always for them. I hear theres a lot of crap happening in the world right now. but i think it is just strengthening my testimony because it's happening. I've had so much pop in my studies about revelation and avoiding deception lately. I think it is something I didn't realize before but Satan really works on the strong members of the church not by trying to get them to be rebellious, but to fool them into thinking they are doing the right thing. Doctrine and Cov has many examples of this. 

Well. I love you. I'm good and happy. i am out of time!

Love, your daughter. 

hope you had a good meeting.

I will let you know next week about the Christmas call .I will call either Christmas eve or Christmas day for you. 

bye bye! Love you

I feel the Spirit of Christ

I had a great week. I am loving walking in this hot wonderland. It doesn't feel like Christmas, but I feel the Spirit of Christ.

This week I met an American Man. He is from LA. I had a difficult time sharing the gospel with him in english. But it was cool as well because he has experienced a lot of hardships. I hope we meet him on the street again. 

We visited a family this week. They haven't been to church for years, but one day we found them.We met part of their family-a daughter. We actually just happened to go to their house on her birthday. Heavenly Father knows our birthdays :)

I am recovering well! Ugly but no pain!

Well. I will try to be better with these emails. but here's a quote.

"IN our lives the oil of righteousness is accumulated drop by drop over the years. Each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store" SpencerW Kimball. We just need to do the little things often and we will be ready when He comes. 

I love you all. Enjoy the Christmas season. christmas.lds.org

Sorry. I only took one picture this week. And it's just me. Next week will be better! Bye!

To Mom:

Woo! I almost got to play violin. Sad story. I got the opp.I got a violin. I opened it. It's a member's. first, no shoulder rest. second, the d string is tied in a knot, like it broke, and they just tied it. third, I went to tune the e string, it was brittle, broke. so now I feel like a loser because I have to give back the broken violin and I don't get to play :( BUT I am singing in a choir on the radio, on national channels, etc. so  I guess I get my fame. Although I would rather play. 

 Sis Jenkins left this new dress for me for christmas. I will send pic with my group email maybe. 

I think if Tyler can do it,  (graduate early and go on his mission early) he should just go for it, if that's what he wants. It's less time to get in trouble, and I think having a heavy load will help him for his mission. Of course if you think he's not ready or that he can't do it, don't let him. But talk with the bishop maybe and see. I think he sounds like a different person in his email. He seems happy and excited. and I think it would be fun for us to both be out together. 

Tell Tami Gross I love giving out pop rocks. 

Well. That's it. I can't wait. In like 18 days we get to SKYPE!!! Woohoo. 

I love you so much. You're the best mom. I can't wait to go running with you! But I'm fat so go slow!

Love your daughter. 

To Dad:

Hi. I sent the email to mom's email for both of you. Because our internet shopdid not have internet. 

I loved the pictures. I laughed so hard I like cried. I can't wait to do dumb stuff on the iphone again.

I get to perform in a choir on national tv here. so yeah. we pulled it together in 2 practices... haha. I'm trying to find out if there's a way for you to watch it. 

Your calling sounds great. I feel like ti's truethat you are being prepared really. Heavenly Father is throwing you to different places so you can become familiar with and learn the different parts... I feel like that too though. My mission president sometimes says things and I'm like...I don't even know how I am a missionary let alone a leader in my mission. How did I fake my way here? But I guess I just have trust it is from the Lord and He knows me better than I do. 

I think Sis Jenkins will do well. She has a lot of peace going home the second time. I got to spend some time with her and it was great. 

My toe is improving a lot.

I get to watch the devotional next sunday. and we have mission conference this week.It's a hard season but it is also really wonderful. I am experiencing some amazing growth. 

I want the cold.Don't complain. Always remember that you can put it on but you can't take it off. haha. I know next winter I'll probably die though.

I bawled this week. We were at a member's house and her daughter has some sickness. She literally just went psychotic. She just lays there, doesn't talk. Her body doesn't move or relax, like if you let go of her hand it just stays where you let go. I didn't know what to say because her mom is like "it's because she got cold from air conditioning." Yeah, no. It's hardtojust see medical situations like that here that I feel could be taken care of or at least helped quickly in america. but we watched "Mountains to Climb" with them. I just was like bawling I couldn't even talk. so there.I cried.

and I laugh lots too. 

Life's good. 

Love you!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY

Hello everyone. This has been an interesting week. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

Some highlights, since we don’t have a lot of time today:

We visited some members and the little boys wanted to tell me jokes

the whole night. It was so cute. I really enjoy little kids. 

I had some fun exchanges this week.

Thanksgiving. I made some like… shortcake and I bought some peaches.

So it was like peach pie a little. #tasteofhome I also had lots of

spaghetti that day. It’s the new thanksgiving dinner apparently.

Happy 18th birthday to my little brother. He is the bomb.

I had exchanges with Sis Jenkins too. She is amazing. I am uplifted

and strengthened by the faith she has showed me. She’s awesome. We had

a blast really.

This week I battled the toes again. And I lost. Or maybe the toe lost.

I’m not sure. But I now have no toenail. Woohoo. Look at the surgery

pic. It’s great. They offered me my toenail in a glass bottle….the

pic I took of my journal. It was so fun. Let me tell you. But also, I

was blessed. Our insurance didn’t cover all of it, but I had felt like

I should withdraw some personal money the day before, and with all my

personal money and all the mission support I was able to have almost

the exact amount for the surgery. Heavenly Father loves us.

Sis Jenkins apartment has hot water. I took my first hot water shower

in almost 9 months.

Pres. Deyro came to our stake conference yesterday and he gave a great

talk. It was fun to listen to him. He has a talent for being very

bold, yet making people laugh so hard. He talked about how we need to

do things so that when we look in the mirror we don’t apostasize, or

turn away from the truth about ourselves. He said we need to live

right. He also gave some promises from the scriptures that by sharing

the gospel, we can be forgiven and also that we will have the things

we need in our families. That one thing we prepared for before this

earth was to help Heavenly Father with His work.

Another talk that was good. One member of the stake pres talked about

how we can relate life to driving. That sometimes people arrive late

or never to their destination because of things like distractions. We

can’t be distracted by those around us, and we need to focus on how we

are driving. We can’t be distracted by the billboards or things of the

world. It was a good analogy. We all need to drive safe and arrive to

our destination on time.

Well, I had some great times and interesting times this week. I hope

you all keep having fun and living as the person you want to become. I

love you and Heavenly Father loves you. And He tells you every day.

Love Sister Smith

Dear Mom and Dad,

I hate our internet. As in we have none. As I am typing you I don’t

even know if I’ll get to send it, and I haven’t gotten on the internet

yet to read your email. It’s been a long day and week. But I’m still

happy. 

I got my Christmas packages today. Woohoo. I’m really excited.

I hope there is no food in the Christmas eve one that the ants will

get first. Isprayed it with bug killer. But I’m excited to give the

crayons and stuff. I love you!

I have no big toenail. It is creepy and gives me anxiety. I spent like

38 dollars on some nice sandals though and I discussed with Sis Deyro

about just wearing sandals for the rest of my mission. So hopefully

this doesn’t ever happen again. Woohoo. Woohoo. Woohoo.

I have been endowed one year. I miss the temple a lot. I am grateful

for our covenants and being a member of the true church. Being able to

progress like we can. I wish I could remember more about the temple.

It feels like forever.

I don’t know if I told you but Pres Deyro had me write an article

about hope for our mission newsletter. It was published this month. I

will try to send it to you sometime. I have heard more than once it

was just what people needed, so I guess that’s good.

Well. I can’t think of anything else and I can’t reply. I’m way happy.

Haha. Just kidding. It’s fine. I guess we won’t die.

Love you,

Daughter.