2/15/10
Hello,
Happy Valentines Day!
Sorry I have to be hurried today, but this library closes soon and I have to get off to let another elder email in his weekly report and write his family before it closes. I'm doing good and we've had a pretty good week. Nobody came to church, but we already have commitments from a couple people to come this coming Sunday. We're tracting a lot and we've found a couple people who seem to have potential. Happy baptism day to Lauren and Sadie.
Love, Elder Smith
2/9/10
Dear Diane, Randy & kids,
Well, that nice early spring we were enjoying in Cleveland is either over or doesn't stretch as far as Toledo. We just had a big snowstorm the other day, and are scheduled to get another 6" - 12" tomorrow. Yahoo.
You've probably read on the blog already that I have been transferred to a new area and companion. This area (Toledo - Southland) is pretty much a carbon copy of my last area - a small walking area in the heart of the city, a ward full of medical students, NO investigators from previous missionaries, etc.
So we had a pretty exciting experience at church yesterday. This lady came from New Jersey to get a heart procedure done at the hospital in our area. She was at church yesterday and of course she asked for a blessing. After Sacrament we were walking with her to a classroom so we could administer to her. We opened the class room door, walked in, and as she was coming in the doorway she passed out and collapsed on the floor. I guess she picked the right ward in which to collapse, because those doctor students flocked to her like fat kids to cake.
Yes, smoking is pretty nasty. I had hoped that it was only in Cleveland that everybody smoked, but it looks like it might just be everyone in Ohio, because everybody here in Toledo seems to smoke as well. Too bad.
---continued later that eventing---
Whew! I just got back from a couple hours of walking through the snow and shoveling driveways and my socks are soaked! We need a fireplace at our apartment!
Well, I hope everything is going well for you guys. As always, thanks so much for your support.
Love,
Elder Smith
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
He's in Toledo
Laurent Neu is in MOTAB!!!!!!!! Awesome! I know that guy!
Hello all,
Well, my new companion is Elder Ehlert. He is from Orem, Utah, and he likes shooting. He's pretty cool and he's a good teacher. I am already enjoying serving with him. We are serving in the Toledo 1st ward in the Toledo, Ohio stake. The Toledo 1st ward is a student ward with a whole lot of medical students. (where have I heard this before?) Our area is called "Southland". It is a really small biking area (sound familiar?) and it covers downtown Toledo and the West side of Toledo. (sound familiar again?) It is pretty much like West Cleveland except for there is no rapid and we don't get bus passes. (There's not much public transportation here, I guess.) Also, like when I arrived in Cleveland, we don't really have any solid investigators. (dejavu, anyone?) Not to worry, though: we've been fasting hard, praying hard, and working hard, so we'll find people soon. Elder Farmer from my MTC district is serving in this ward as well, and we get to see eachother like every day since the members usually feed both companionships together. That is pretty cool. We have a lot of really cool elders in our district.
I don't think we can go back to old areas to see baptisms.
Packing stuff up was'nt too hard. I sent a package home with a bunch of stuff, mostly letters, that I couldn't fit. I had accumulated a few things. Yes, my bike went with me.
It sounded like the super bowl had an exciting ending, considering all the shouting from the apartment above us.
I think I've said this before, but isn't it so cool how everybody is going on missions?
That's cool that the swim teams are doing good. Sorry about the roof. What is a stake womens' conference? (hmmm...I thought about it for a minute and I guess its probably a conference for women in the stake...kind of a self-explanatory name. How often do they hold them?
That's cool that Peyton's friend got baptized. Is this the same one you talked about Peyton inviting to activity days a few months ago? Were there many nonmembers at the baptism?
So what is this Kyle guy to whom Crystal is engaged like? What is his daughter like? When you say that Dad says she loved riding Lady are you implying that she didn't really love it and Dad was mistaken?
Sweet! You're finally getting your Book Cliffs elk tag? You've been waiting years for this! You must be so excited to practice shooting and stuff. No, I don't have any advice on sharpshooting, but you might consider asking Delaney.
Well, I'm glad Delaney is taking so many advanced classes. I hope she can keep up with them all. Does she get AP recess? Just remember, it is not necessary for a man to run faster than he is able. Sorry no one at your school is friendly, Delaney. Maybe you should have picked a better school to go to...
Thanks in advance for the package. Actually, now the mission wants you to send stuff to our apartment address, but it's okay to send them to the mission home as well. Unfortunately, I can't remember what zip code we are in, so I'll get that information to you next week.
Good job reading scriptures and going to the temple. Being a missionary sure gives some perspective on prayer and scripture reading, considering how hard we try to convince people to do them, and how devastated we are when they don't. They are missing out on so many blessings, and they don't even realize it.
NO, you most definitely did NOT tell me that Bro. Neu made MoTab! Thanks for telling me now, though. I can't wait for conference!
That's exciting that Cody's eagle project is getting underway.
What are you hoping dad gets you for V-day? He already reloaded 100 7mm shells. What more do you want?
I'm good, the food's good, it's all good.
Love, Elder Smith
Hello all,
Well, my new companion is Elder Ehlert. He is from Orem, Utah, and he likes shooting. He's pretty cool and he's a good teacher. I am already enjoying serving with him. We are serving in the Toledo 1st ward in the Toledo, Ohio stake. The Toledo 1st ward is a student ward with a whole lot of medical students. (where have I heard this before?) Our area is called "Southland". It is a really small biking area (sound familiar?) and it covers downtown Toledo and the West side of Toledo. (sound familiar again?) It is pretty much like West Cleveland except for there is no rapid and we don't get bus passes. (There's not much public transportation here, I guess.) Also, like when I arrived in Cleveland, we don't really have any solid investigators. (dejavu, anyone?) Not to worry, though: we've been fasting hard, praying hard, and working hard, so we'll find people soon. Elder Farmer from my MTC district is serving in this ward as well, and we get to see eachother like every day since the members usually feed both companionships together. That is pretty cool. We have a lot of really cool elders in our district.
I don't think we can go back to old areas to see baptisms.
Packing stuff up was'nt too hard. I sent a package home with a bunch of stuff, mostly letters, that I couldn't fit. I had accumulated a few things. Yes, my bike went with me.
It sounded like the super bowl had an exciting ending, considering all the shouting from the apartment above us.
I think I've said this before, but isn't it so cool how everybody is going on missions?
That's cool that the swim teams are doing good. Sorry about the roof. What is a stake womens' conference? (hmmm...I thought about it for a minute and I guess its probably a conference for women in the stake...kind of a self-explanatory name. How often do they hold them?
That's cool that Peyton's friend got baptized. Is this the same one you talked about Peyton inviting to activity days a few months ago? Were there many nonmembers at the baptism?
So what is this Kyle guy to whom Crystal is engaged like? What is his daughter like? When you say that Dad says she loved riding Lady are you implying that she didn't really love it and Dad was mistaken?
Sweet! You're finally getting your Book Cliffs elk tag? You've been waiting years for this! You must be so excited to practice shooting and stuff. No, I don't have any advice on sharpshooting, but you might consider asking Delaney.
Well, I'm glad Delaney is taking so many advanced classes. I hope she can keep up with them all. Does she get AP recess? Just remember, it is not necessary for a man to run faster than he is able. Sorry no one at your school is friendly, Delaney. Maybe you should have picked a better school to go to...
Thanks in advance for the package. Actually, now the mission wants you to send stuff to our apartment address, but it's okay to send them to the mission home as well. Unfortunately, I can't remember what zip code we are in, so I'll get that information to you next week.
Good job reading scriptures and going to the temple. Being a missionary sure gives some perspective on prayer and scripture reading, considering how hard we try to convince people to do them, and how devastated we are when they don't. They are missing out on so many blessings, and they don't even realize it.
NO, you most definitely did NOT tell me that Bro. Neu made MoTab! Thanks for telling me now, though. I can't wait for conference!
That's exciting that Cody's eagle project is getting underway.
What are you hoping dad gets you for V-day? He already reloaded 100 7mm shells. What more do you want?
I'm good, the food's good, it's all good.
Love, Elder Smith
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
They Found Mike!
Hello!!
Thanks everyone for the torrent of letters!!
Sorry your week was uneventful. It sounds like the kids got quite the deal with the Cafe Rio meal, though. $1 per minute = $60 per hour. Divided among 3 kids that makes $20 per hour. Not bad at all - they're regular tycoons.
I received Grandma's letter and package. Please tell her thanks for me, and that I enjoyed the cookies and candy. I'll write back as well - I'm getting smart and typing letters on P-day now, it's much faster than writing.
Wow, Delaney is applying for scholarships? That's pretty cool. To quote a man in our ward (talking about his wife) "She's so grown up!". I wish I thought about scholarships when I was a sophomore. I'm so excited for her to get her patriarchal blessing, too.
It's really cool to see recent converts and recently activated members in our ward doing the same things as people are doing back home - going to the temple, getting patriarchal blessings, reading the scriptures, etc. By the way, how are the family scripture study and prayers going? We've been teaching a less-active family and been trying SOOO HARD to get them to have family prayers because we know what a blessing it would be for them, but they struggle a lot. It makes me sad. I realize a lot more as a missionary how important the "small and simple things" are. Are you still going to the temple often?
OK-update on investigators - it's been a great week -
Tasha - is who I am most excited about. She doesn't smoke, which is a novel thing in this area. We committed her to be baptized on February 27th, and she not only accepted, but is really excited about it. She came to church on Sunday with her daughter and her niece. Plus, she has a friend who goes to the singles ward on the East Side who has been doing an amazing job of fellowshipping her. I think Tasha is what you call a "Golden Investigator" - She has kept every commitment we have given her to read the Book of Mormon, and has read more on the side. She came to church and she and her daughter loved it. She is excited to get baptized. She understands everything we teach, asks insightful questions, writes down questions for us between visits, and feels the Spirit. We basically couldn't ask for more. It's just too bad we can't get married on our missions. (just kidding)
Tim - hasn't smoked for 4 days straight now! We've been visiting or calling him briefly every day and that has helped a lot, I think. Even more helpful has been Brother Branch, who is great friends with Tim and really loves him and wants the best for him. Elder Pickett and his greenie will have to push his baptism date back, but as long as he keeps not smoking he will be able to get baptized soon.
Brenda - has said that she's seen a lot more answers to her prayers since she started reading the Book of Mormon and she feels like it's true when she prays about it! The next step for her is to quit smoking, but she doesn't feel like she can do it, so we've been talking about prayer and how the Lord can help us through our trials. I know that she can, and I know that God knows that she can - now we have to help her realize that she knows she can.
So guess what? We found Mike! Finally, the very week that I leave Cleveland, we found him! An appointment had fallen through so we decided to tract nearby. We prayed about where we should tract and felt prompted to move a couple streets over, so we did. We knocked on Mike's door and he was open to learning about the Book of Mormon. We set up a return appointment and he was there a couple days later as well (which doesn't happen that often). He said he will read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
In summary, this area is on fire now, when it used to be dead. I am pretty sure that Elder Pickett and his companion will see baptisms this month, so I am really excited for them! He and I have seen amazing blessings these past few weeks and it has really been a testimony builder for me to see so many tender mercies poured out upon us. It is also interesting to take an introspective look at myself and realize how much I care for the people we are teaching - how excited I am when they progress and how disappointed I am when they don't do things that I know will bring them blessings.
Thanks for everyone who has been praying for me, Elder Pickett, and our investigators. Obviously it's working, so keep it up!
Unfortunately, I found out yesterday that I am being transferred and Elder Pickett is training a new missionary here. So I will miss the baptisms, but I am still excited to find out where and with whom I will be serving.
Yeah, I agree that these six months have gone by way fast.
Per your questions, I have not emailed any friends on missions - a review of the white handbook said we should only email immediate family. I did send snail mail letters to a few, though. Transfers are tomorrow. We are getting fed very well. There's nothing I really need or want that I don't already have. Actually yes there is - could you send more garments please? You know the kind I like.
Tell Fred & Louise thanks again for me as well, please.
I love you!
Elder Smith
Thanks everyone for the torrent of letters!!
Sorry your week was uneventful. It sounds like the kids got quite the deal with the Cafe Rio meal, though. $1 per minute = $60 per hour. Divided among 3 kids that makes $20 per hour. Not bad at all - they're regular tycoons.
I received Grandma's letter and package. Please tell her thanks for me, and that I enjoyed the cookies and candy. I'll write back as well - I'm getting smart and typing letters on P-day now, it's much faster than writing.
Wow, Delaney is applying for scholarships? That's pretty cool. To quote a man in our ward (talking about his wife) "She's so grown up!". I wish I thought about scholarships when I was a sophomore. I'm so excited for her to get her patriarchal blessing, too.
It's really cool to see recent converts and recently activated members in our ward doing the same things as people are doing back home - going to the temple, getting patriarchal blessings, reading the scriptures, etc. By the way, how are the family scripture study and prayers going? We've been teaching a less-active family and been trying SOOO HARD to get them to have family prayers because we know what a blessing it would be for them, but they struggle a lot. It makes me sad. I realize a lot more as a missionary how important the "small and simple things" are. Are you still going to the temple often?
OK-update on investigators - it's been a great week -
Tasha - is who I am most excited about. She doesn't smoke, which is a novel thing in this area. We committed her to be baptized on February 27th, and she not only accepted, but is really excited about it. She came to church on Sunday with her daughter and her niece. Plus, she has a friend who goes to the singles ward on the East Side who has been doing an amazing job of fellowshipping her. I think Tasha is what you call a "Golden Investigator" - She has kept every commitment we have given her to read the Book of Mormon, and has read more on the side. She came to church and she and her daughter loved it. She is excited to get baptized. She understands everything we teach, asks insightful questions, writes down questions for us between visits, and feels the Spirit. We basically couldn't ask for more. It's just too bad we can't get married on our missions. (just kidding)
Tim - hasn't smoked for 4 days straight now! We've been visiting or calling him briefly every day and that has helped a lot, I think. Even more helpful has been Brother Branch, who is great friends with Tim and really loves him and wants the best for him. Elder Pickett and his greenie will have to push his baptism date back, but as long as he keeps not smoking he will be able to get baptized soon.
Brenda - has said that she's seen a lot more answers to her prayers since she started reading the Book of Mormon and she feels like it's true when she prays about it! The next step for her is to quit smoking, but she doesn't feel like she can do it, so we've been talking about prayer and how the Lord can help us through our trials. I know that she can, and I know that God knows that she can - now we have to help her realize that she knows she can.
So guess what? We found Mike! Finally, the very week that I leave Cleveland, we found him! An appointment had fallen through so we decided to tract nearby. We prayed about where we should tract and felt prompted to move a couple streets over, so we did. We knocked on Mike's door and he was open to learning about the Book of Mormon. We set up a return appointment and he was there a couple days later as well (which doesn't happen that often). He said he will read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
In summary, this area is on fire now, when it used to be dead. I am pretty sure that Elder Pickett and his companion will see baptisms this month, so I am really excited for them! He and I have seen amazing blessings these past few weeks and it has really been a testimony builder for me to see so many tender mercies poured out upon us. It is also interesting to take an introspective look at myself and realize how much I care for the people we are teaching - how excited I am when they progress and how disappointed I am when they don't do things that I know will bring them blessings.
Thanks for everyone who has been praying for me, Elder Pickett, and our investigators. Obviously it's working, so keep it up!
Unfortunately, I found out yesterday that I am being transferred and Elder Pickett is training a new missionary here. So I will miss the baptisms, but I am still excited to find out where and with whom I will be serving.
Yeah, I agree that these six months have gone by way fast.
Per your questions, I have not emailed any friends on missions - a review of the white handbook said we should only email immediate family. I did send snail mail letters to a few, though. Transfers are tomorrow. We are getting fed very well. There's nothing I really need or want that I don't already have. Actually yes there is - could you send more garments please? You know the kind I like.
Tell Fred & Louise thanks again for me as well, please.
I love you!
Elder Smith
Monday, January 25, 2010
It's spring in Cleveland?
Hello, happy Monday,
How is everybody doing? Sorry we weren't able to email 'til Wednesday - Monday was a holiday and we had a zone conference on Tuesday. By the way, next week is transfers, so we'll probably email on Tuesday.
Good job everybody on great grades.
Cool presents for Dad. How does the thing in the water make it look like the ducks are feeding? Does it stir up the water or something? Is the new decoy bag any less uncomfortable to carry than the old bags? I remember a lot of walking with an aching back last year when I would go hunting with Bo. Maybe that's just part of the price you have to pay - it probably wouldn't be the same if you weren't sore and achy when you got home.
That's pretty cool that you guys did baptisms on Tuesday. It's also cool that there were a lot of other people there, too. I'm so jealous that you guys get to go to the temple!
Yeah, there are a lot of spanish speakers in our area we can talk to. We go on exchanges with the Spaniards once per transfer (6 weeks). On exchanges, I go with one spaniard and Elder Pickett goes with the other for a day. It is usually a combination of tracting and appointments. Splits are done for training purposes - so we can see somebody else's teaching style and learn from eachother. Every mission leader exchanges with every unit under them once per transfer - APs exchange with zone leaders once per transfer, zone leaders exchange with district leaders once per transfer, and district leaders exchange with everyone in their district (except sisters, if any) once per transfer. So, because Elder Pickett is a district leader, we exchange once with the zone leaders every transfer and once with the spaniards (the only other companionship in our district) every transfer.
We are staying very warm. It feels like Spring right now and it has rained the past couple of days. The hand me down boots are good - and even better because they are free! The suit doesn't fit as well as the ones we bought - the sleeves are a little short - but, again, it is free. And now I don't have to get nice suits all gross, dirty, and wet when I am tracting!
Nobody came to church this week. Tim was sick and Brenda was out of town. Brenda's kids are 12, 10, and 8 maybe? Plus an older one who I think is in prison. They live with their dad & stepmom somewhere in Ohio. Maybe Ashtabula?
Yes, some of the new investigators we found last week are progressing - there is a really cool one named Tasha. She was referred by a recent convert going to the singles ward on the East Side who is preparing to go on a mission. She seems really interested and sincere, so we're pretty excited. Member referrals are always the best.
Chipotle was delicious, yes, but it was not even close to Cafe Rio. That will be high on the bucket list of things to do after I die-probably right after going to the temple. (die=go home in missionary slang).
Sorry you got braces, Cody. That bites. I'm glad you still realize the superiority of Bingham over that other school.
You shouldn't let Delaney remove the BHS parking sticker from the car. Are my spurs still hanging from the mirror?
That's awesome that Sadie and Lauren are getting baptized on the 20th! How are they so old?
IG, FG, IAG (I'm Good, Food's Good, It's All Good)
LYMNB, (Love you most - no battle)
Elder Smith
How is everybody doing? Sorry we weren't able to email 'til Wednesday - Monday was a holiday and we had a zone conference on Tuesday. By the way, next week is transfers, so we'll probably email on Tuesday.
Good job everybody on great grades.
Cool presents for Dad. How does the thing in the water make it look like the ducks are feeding? Does it stir up the water or something? Is the new decoy bag any less uncomfortable to carry than the old bags? I remember a lot of walking with an aching back last year when I would go hunting with Bo. Maybe that's just part of the price you have to pay - it probably wouldn't be the same if you weren't sore and achy when you got home.
That's pretty cool that you guys did baptisms on Tuesday. It's also cool that there were a lot of other people there, too. I'm so jealous that you guys get to go to the temple!
Yeah, there are a lot of spanish speakers in our area we can talk to. We go on exchanges with the Spaniards once per transfer (6 weeks). On exchanges, I go with one spaniard and Elder Pickett goes with the other for a day. It is usually a combination of tracting and appointments. Splits are done for training purposes - so we can see somebody else's teaching style and learn from eachother. Every mission leader exchanges with every unit under them once per transfer - APs exchange with zone leaders once per transfer, zone leaders exchange with district leaders once per transfer, and district leaders exchange with everyone in their district (except sisters, if any) once per transfer. So, because Elder Pickett is a district leader, we exchange once with the zone leaders every transfer and once with the spaniards (the only other companionship in our district) every transfer.
We are staying very warm. It feels like Spring right now and it has rained the past couple of days. The hand me down boots are good - and even better because they are free! The suit doesn't fit as well as the ones we bought - the sleeves are a little short - but, again, it is free. And now I don't have to get nice suits all gross, dirty, and wet when I am tracting!
Nobody came to church this week. Tim was sick and Brenda was out of town. Brenda's kids are 12, 10, and 8 maybe? Plus an older one who I think is in prison. They live with their dad & stepmom somewhere in Ohio. Maybe Ashtabula?
Yes, some of the new investigators we found last week are progressing - there is a really cool one named Tasha. She was referred by a recent convert going to the singles ward on the East Side who is preparing to go on a mission. She seems really interested and sincere, so we're pretty excited. Member referrals are always the best.
Chipotle was delicious, yes, but it was not even close to Cafe Rio. That will be high on the bucket list of things to do after I die-probably right after going to the temple. (die=go home in missionary slang).
Sorry you got braces, Cody. That bites. I'm glad you still realize the superiority of Bingham over that other school.
You shouldn't let Delaney remove the BHS parking sticker from the car. Are my spurs still hanging from the mirror?
That's awesome that Sadie and Lauren are getting baptized on the 20th! How are they so old?
IG, FG, IAG (I'm Good, Food's Good, It's All Good)
LYMNB, (Love you most - no battle)
Elder Smith
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
E-mail from 1/20/10
This e-mail contains portions of the letter I wrote to Matt, followed by his answer to the questions I wrote.
Hello!
Q: How was your week? Did you have your P-day on Monday as usual, with the exception of e-mail, or did you do regular missionary stuff?
A: Our week was awesome and we had some great success. We had P-day on Monday like usual (except for emailing since the libraries were closed), but all we did was sit around at a hospital while Elder O'Neill (one of the Strongsville elders) had hernia surgery. It was pretty boring.
Q: "Did people in Cleveland have the holiday off work?"
A: I don't think so except if they work at a library or post office? I don't know.
Q: "Is it easier to make appointments on holidays like this or harder? What kind of schedules do your investigators even have?
A: "It's about the same easiness. I didn't even realize that Monday was a holiday until Sunday night. I don't think any of our investigators' schedules was affected by the holiday. At least not that we know of.
Q: "Did any of them come to church Sunday?
A: "Yes, Brenda and Tim both came to church, and Brenda brought her 3 kids (with whom she doesn't live).
Q: "Did you speak?"
A: No. Elder Pickett will be speaking this week, though.
Q: "Any progress on baptism dates?"
A: Yes. We re-set Tim's baptismal date for February 20th. He still needs to stop smoking first, though.
Q: "Do you have any new investigators, like Mike?"
A: Yes. In the past week I have been let into 2 peoples' houses while tracting! Crazy! One of them was a family who said "are y'all the Mormons?" and we said yes, and then they told us to come on in, called all the kids together, and told them to listen up because we were going to have a bible study. So we talked to the kids about loving one another and asked them what kind of things they could do to show love to their family...like helping clean up around the house, etc. And then we talked about the restoration of the gospel. I guess the mom had met with missionaries years and years ago.
The other time we got let in was yesterday. I was (actually, I still am) on exchanges with Elder Divett in the Cleveland Spanish area. We were talking about Joseph Smith on her doorstep and she invited us in because it was "cold" outside. (in reality it wasn't - it was at least 30 degrees, and a beautiful day). So we taught her and she told us to come back today, but she wasn't there when we came back.
So what did Cody get for his birthday (other than braces)? I can't believe he is excited for braces... he'll get over it, I'm sure. (Note from Patty: I think Matt missed the sarcasm of my comment about Cody being excited to get braces.) The klondike sounds like it was fun. I'm glad Cody wasn't a whiner. Keep me posted on his eagle project.
With whom did Dad go on his missionary split? The sisters? It's weird to think of us having a convert baptism in our home ward - we live in Utah for heavens' sakes! Have the missionaries been teaching Jim? That is so cool that he wants to get baptized! Who else did they visit other than Jim?
Wow...I've only been gone for 6 months and already the ward is falling apart - Bro. Allred has MS, Warts got put down, Bros. Clawson and Erickson got hurt, you hurt your shoulder. What's next? Don't make me come back there.... (just kidding).
Yes, I got boots. I inherited Elder Wayment's when he left. It's amazing the things you can dig up in old missionary apartments - food that expired in the '90s, old discussion pamphlets, I even got another suit from "leftovers".
Yeah, the weather here has been really mild lately. All the snow is melting and it's even getting up into the 40's. The lake is frozen now, which is pretty cool.
Luckily, our meal calendar got passed around the RS this week, so we have meals again. I got all the stuff I need for fajitas, now I just have to find a time that I can make them. It's also hard because we have to be in and out the door for dinner within one hour, so I have to plan ahead for when I'm going to let the meat thaw and stuff.
That seems weird that the Cali missionaries would have to cook for themselves - I thought the church was a lot stronger there than here.
Congratulations on finishing the Book of Mormon! That's awesome! Don't forget to pray to know that it is true! That's something else I learned recently - even though we may already have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, that doesn't nullify Moroni's promise at all - we are still entitled to have our prayers answered even if we already know it's true. I guess I shouldn't say I learned that recently. Obviously I already knew that, but I just never really had a very strong testimony of it before.
I'm good, the food is plentiful, it's all good!
Love, Elder Smith
Hello!
Q: How was your week? Did you have your P-day on Monday as usual, with the exception of e-mail, or did you do regular missionary stuff?
A: Our week was awesome and we had some great success. We had P-day on Monday like usual (except for emailing since the libraries were closed), but all we did was sit around at a hospital while Elder O'Neill (one of the Strongsville elders) had hernia surgery. It was pretty boring.
Q: "Did people in Cleveland have the holiday off work?"
A: I don't think so except if they work at a library or post office? I don't know.
Q: "Is it easier to make appointments on holidays like this or harder? What kind of schedules do your investigators even have?
A: "It's about the same easiness. I didn't even realize that Monday was a holiday until Sunday night. I don't think any of our investigators' schedules was affected by the holiday. At least not that we know of.
Q: "Did any of them come to church Sunday?
A: "Yes, Brenda and Tim both came to church, and Brenda brought her 3 kids (with whom she doesn't live).
Q: "Did you speak?"
A: No. Elder Pickett will be speaking this week, though.
Q: "Any progress on baptism dates?"
A: Yes. We re-set Tim's baptismal date for February 20th. He still needs to stop smoking first, though.
Q: "Do you have any new investigators, like Mike?"
A: Yes. In the past week I have been let into 2 peoples' houses while tracting! Crazy! One of them was a family who said "are y'all the Mormons?" and we said yes, and then they told us to come on in, called all the kids together, and told them to listen up because we were going to have a bible study. So we talked to the kids about loving one another and asked them what kind of things they could do to show love to their family...like helping clean up around the house, etc. And then we talked about the restoration of the gospel. I guess the mom had met with missionaries years and years ago.
The other time we got let in was yesterday. I was (actually, I still am) on exchanges with Elder Divett in the Cleveland Spanish area. We were talking about Joseph Smith on her doorstep and she invited us in because it was "cold" outside. (in reality it wasn't - it was at least 30 degrees, and a beautiful day). So we taught her and she told us to come back today, but she wasn't there when we came back.
So what did Cody get for his birthday (other than braces)? I can't believe he is excited for braces... he'll get over it, I'm sure. (Note from Patty: I think Matt missed the sarcasm of my comment about Cody being excited to get braces.) The klondike sounds like it was fun. I'm glad Cody wasn't a whiner. Keep me posted on his eagle project.
With whom did Dad go on his missionary split? The sisters? It's weird to think of us having a convert baptism in our home ward - we live in Utah for heavens' sakes! Have the missionaries been teaching Jim? That is so cool that he wants to get baptized! Who else did they visit other than Jim?
Wow...I've only been gone for 6 months and already the ward is falling apart - Bro. Allred has MS, Warts got put down, Bros. Clawson and Erickson got hurt, you hurt your shoulder. What's next? Don't make me come back there.... (just kidding).
Yes, I got boots. I inherited Elder Wayment's when he left. It's amazing the things you can dig up in old missionary apartments - food that expired in the '90s, old discussion pamphlets, I even got another suit from "leftovers".
Yeah, the weather here has been really mild lately. All the snow is melting and it's even getting up into the 40's. The lake is frozen now, which is pretty cool.
Luckily, our meal calendar got passed around the RS this week, so we have meals again. I got all the stuff I need for fajitas, now I just have to find a time that I can make them. It's also hard because we have to be in and out the door for dinner within one hour, so I have to plan ahead for when I'm going to let the meat thaw and stuff.
That seems weird that the Cali missionaries would have to cook for themselves - I thought the church was a lot stronger there than here.
Congratulations on finishing the Book of Mormon! That's awesome! Don't forget to pray to know that it is true! That's something else I learned recently - even though we may already have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, that doesn't nullify Moroni's promise at all - we are still entitled to have our prayers answered even if we already know it's true. I guess I shouldn't say I learned that recently. Obviously I already knew that, but I just never really had a very strong testimony of it before.
I'm good, the food is plentiful, it's all good!
Love, Elder Smith
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
E-mail 1/11/10
Hello! Happy Birthday Cody!
That's pretty cool that Dad would play Rock Band with you! No way! Did he actually like it and have fun or just do it to make you guys happy? That's so cool!
I'm glad everybody in our neighborhood back home is being nice and neighborly. We say hi to everybody in our apartment complex and a couple people we see regularly recognize us and say hello. I guess a lot of the students in the ward who are from out west are kind of shocked at how standoffish, not-nice, unneighborly, etc. their neighbors are.
That's horrible that somebody would 1. take a phone into a temple session, 2. have it ring, and 3. answer it! Terrible! It seems like that would be common sense and you wouldn't need to have a church lesson on it, but I guess not.
I might get to speak in sacrament next week - Bro. Davis will tell me sometime in the week.
Yep, I sent out like 10 letters last week. I am missing some peoples' addresses, though, because I either threw away the envelopes they came in or I couldn't read the writing on the return address. I also sent you the letter I sent out to people and wrote which addresses I needed on the back of it or somewhere, but I guess you didn't get it yet. I can't remember which ones I am missing at the moment, but please send me those peoples' addresses when you get the letter.
So what do the ward missionaries talk about in our home ward? Activation and retention? What are lap weights?
Zion's mall sounds like it will be pretty cool. Is it for the RS or the YW?
Sounds like everybody had a pretty easy cow elk hunt. At least you were prepared, though.
Our weather is snowy, snowy, snowy. We saw the sun for the first time in weeks the other day, but now it is snowy again. Also cold. We bundle up pretty well, though.
I hope you guys have fun at Klondike. Did you make a sled and everything?
I haven't made fajitas yet, but I got your box the other day and I'll buy the necessary supplies today since it's P-day. Fajitas call for a lot of things that you don't generally find in a missionary apartment (I looked 3 times through the recipe trying to figure out where to put the ramen noodles).
How are our meals going? We only had 2 meals scheduled with members this week, so we not-so-subtly mentioned to a few people that we had nothing planned on several evenings and now we have 5 meals. Also, I put a few quotations from the latter half of Matthew 25 on the cover of the meal calender that gets passed around Relief Society, so maybe that will help motivate people in the future."for I was an hungred and ye fed me; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink""Lord, when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee drink?""Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."I didn't write down the last couple verses about what happened to those who did NOT feed or give drink unto the least of these his brethren...I thought that might be a little too much.
I'm glad Delaney is having fun driving. We saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said "If you don't like the way I drive, then get off the sidewalk!" I thought it was pretty funny.
Thanks for all the pictures included in your last letter, that was fun to see. Isn't Penny just so cute!?!
Cody's eagle project sounds really cool! Do I know who AJ is? What timetable is he looking at for completion of the project? Are all the scouts going to be helping with it? Are they all going to go up together on a Tuesday or two and do it or what?
What do you want for your birthday, Cody? Probably kind of hard to say right after Christmas, huh? Tell me what you get.
So, we have a car now. It's about to be sold so we only get it for a few weeks, but it's a good sight better than nothing. Yes, the GPS is beneficial, thank you.
Latest on investigators:
Tim&Barbara: Dropped their baptismal dates; we don't think they're ready quite yet. Tim came to church last week and yesterday. We are still teaching them, trying to get the whole apostasy and restoration and authority idea into their heads. And Tim is still smoking a little, which is too much.
Destiny: Didn't show to church this week, but we're still teaching her. She just really needs to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. That's what we're focusing on with her.
Brenda: Has been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it, but isn't sure she's received an answer yet. Please pray with us that she will receive and recognize the Holy Ghost, or that we will be guided to find out why she isn't.We were at another investigator's house and she gave us a Catholic prayer book that had belonged to some deceased cousin. She thought it was a bible. (obviously she hadn't read it).
Love, Elder Smith
That's pretty cool that Dad would play Rock Band with you! No way! Did he actually like it and have fun or just do it to make you guys happy? That's so cool!
I'm glad everybody in our neighborhood back home is being nice and neighborly. We say hi to everybody in our apartment complex and a couple people we see regularly recognize us and say hello. I guess a lot of the students in the ward who are from out west are kind of shocked at how standoffish, not-nice, unneighborly, etc. their neighbors are.
That's horrible that somebody would 1. take a phone into a temple session, 2. have it ring, and 3. answer it! Terrible! It seems like that would be common sense and you wouldn't need to have a church lesson on it, but I guess not.
I might get to speak in sacrament next week - Bro. Davis will tell me sometime in the week.
Yep, I sent out like 10 letters last week. I am missing some peoples' addresses, though, because I either threw away the envelopes they came in or I couldn't read the writing on the return address. I also sent you the letter I sent out to people and wrote which addresses I needed on the back of it or somewhere, but I guess you didn't get it yet. I can't remember which ones I am missing at the moment, but please send me those peoples' addresses when you get the letter.
So what do the ward missionaries talk about in our home ward? Activation and retention? What are lap weights?
Zion's mall sounds like it will be pretty cool. Is it for the RS or the YW?
Sounds like everybody had a pretty easy cow elk hunt. At least you were prepared, though.
Our weather is snowy, snowy, snowy. We saw the sun for the first time in weeks the other day, but now it is snowy again. Also cold. We bundle up pretty well, though.
I hope you guys have fun at Klondike. Did you make a sled and everything?
I haven't made fajitas yet, but I got your box the other day and I'll buy the necessary supplies today since it's P-day. Fajitas call for a lot of things that you don't generally find in a missionary apartment (I looked 3 times through the recipe trying to figure out where to put the ramen noodles).
How are our meals going? We only had 2 meals scheduled with members this week, so we not-so-subtly mentioned to a few people that we had nothing planned on several evenings and now we have 5 meals. Also, I put a few quotations from the latter half of Matthew 25 on the cover of the meal calender that gets passed around Relief Society, so maybe that will help motivate people in the future."for I was an hungred and ye fed me; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink""Lord, when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee drink?""Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."I didn't write down the last couple verses about what happened to those who did NOT feed or give drink unto the least of these his brethren...I thought that might be a little too much.
I'm glad Delaney is having fun driving. We saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said "If you don't like the way I drive, then get off the sidewalk!" I thought it was pretty funny.
Thanks for all the pictures included in your last letter, that was fun to see. Isn't Penny just so cute!?!
Cody's eagle project sounds really cool! Do I know who AJ is? What timetable is he looking at for completion of the project? Are all the scouts going to be helping with it? Are they all going to go up together on a Tuesday or two and do it or what?
What do you want for your birthday, Cody? Probably kind of hard to say right after Christmas, huh? Tell me what you get.
So, we have a car now. It's about to be sold so we only get it for a few weeks, but it's a good sight better than nothing. Yes, the GPS is beneficial, thank you.
Latest on investigators:
Tim&Barbara: Dropped their baptismal dates; we don't think they're ready quite yet. Tim came to church last week and yesterday. We are still teaching them, trying to get the whole apostasy and restoration and authority idea into their heads. And Tim is still smoking a little, which is too much.
Destiny: Didn't show to church this week, but we're still teaching her. She just really needs to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. That's what we're focusing on with her.
Brenda: Has been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it, but isn't sure she's received an answer yet. Please pray with us that she will receive and recognize the Holy Ghost, or that we will be guided to find out why she isn't.We were at another investigator's house and she gave us a Catholic prayer book that had belonged to some deceased cousin. She thought it was a bible. (obviously she hadn't read it).
Love, Elder Smith
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Letter to the Costanza's dated 12/30/09
Dear Diane, Randy, & Kids,
Hello! How did everybody's Christmas go? Ours was great. Poor Elder Pickett thought he was going to have his first ever white Christmas (he's from California), but it started raining Christmas Even night and washed away all the snow. It snowed hard on the 27th and 28th, though, so now we have a couple inches again.
Thanks you all very much for the Christmas package you sent. Yes, I did receive it in time for Christmas. On Christmas; we slept over at the house of the other elders in our ward. We had breakfast with a member family, lunch at the mission home, and dinner with a senior missionary couple. And, of course, we got to call home, which was definitely the highlight of the day.
I sounds like you guys had quite the adventure in Logan. Hardware Ranch, Christmas Festivals, Live Nativities, bullet holes in the hotel window...what more could you ask for?
So what did everybody make and receive for Christmas Eve? Where was the party? What was the coolest thing anybody made?
I'm glad everybody was able to dance at their recitals - being sick is no fun at all. I've been staying healthy so far, but Elder Pickett seems like he might be getting sick.
What are your plans for New Years' Eve? Is somebody in the family hosting a party? I don't know who that would all work with Lori not taking care of everything. Crazy.
Per your question, neither me nor Elder Pickett got transferred. We are here for six more weeks. We have a 3rd companion, Elder Wayment, who will be with us until Sunday; he goes home on Monday.
Well, I hope everyone is having a wonderful, Christ-centered Christmas and holiday season!
Love,
Elder Smith
Hello! How did everybody's Christmas go? Ours was great. Poor Elder Pickett thought he was going to have his first ever white Christmas (he's from California), but it started raining Christmas Even night and washed away all the snow. It snowed hard on the 27th and 28th, though, so now we have a couple inches again.
Thanks you all very much for the Christmas package you sent. Yes, I did receive it in time for Christmas. On Christmas; we slept over at the house of the other elders in our ward. We had breakfast with a member family, lunch at the mission home, and dinner with a senior missionary couple. And, of course, we got to call home, which was definitely the highlight of the day.
I sounds like you guys had quite the adventure in Logan. Hardware Ranch, Christmas Festivals, Live Nativities, bullet holes in the hotel window...what more could you ask for?
So what did everybody make and receive for Christmas Eve? Where was the party? What was the coolest thing anybody made?
I'm glad everybody was able to dance at their recitals - being sick is no fun at all. I've been staying healthy so far, but Elder Pickett seems like he might be getting sick.
What are your plans for New Years' Eve? Is somebody in the family hosting a party? I don't know who that would all work with Lori not taking care of everything. Crazy.
Per your question, neither me nor Elder Pickett got transferred. We are here for six more weeks. We have a 3rd companion, Elder Wayment, who will be with us until Sunday; he goes home on Monday.
Well, I hope everyone is having a wonderful, Christ-centered Christmas and holiday season!
Love,
Elder Smith
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