Dear family and friends,

I don't have much time, unfortunately, but I do have some things to share. :)

First, I read a talk given by President Hinckley this week that I absolutely love.  It's called "Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep."  You should read it--it's very inspiring.

Second, one of our awesome investigators had her baptismal interview on Saturday and passed and we went to a chinese restaurant to celebrate.  After lunch I opened my fortune cookie, and what did I read?  "The one waiting for you when you get home will be your friend for life."  Hmmm...Hahahahaha.  I'm not sure who will still be waiting around for me when I get home besides you, my family, but isn't that funny?  I kept the mini paper.

Third, we are preparing the program for this investigator's baptism for this Saturday and we watched "Special Witnesses of Christ" to see if it would be a good addition for the important event.  IT'S INCREDIBLE.  Have you ever watched the dvd?  I'm telling you, the testimonies of the apostles and prophets are so powerful.  You should watch the video one of these days.  

Fourth, in Sunday School and Relief Society this week the subject was the priesthood.  Man.  It was great.  Chapter 5 in the Teachings of George Albert Smith book is so wonderful!  We are so blessed to have the authority of God on the earth within His one church.  We are so blessed to have a living prophet.  We are so blessed to have the knowledge of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Their plan.  It is hard for me to think about the many people who don't know these truths and struggle more for the lack of knowing.  It's even harder to think about those who know and reject it.  Who are approached with it and choose to walk away.  I know that we all have to make the choice to accept or reject the Gospel of Christ, but it still makes me sad that so many choose to reject it.  Our lives are so much easier to handle with faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost!  I am so thankful that I know.

Thanks for the pictures, Mom!  I love seeing my li'l brother in action!  Christie--why did you go whale watching?  Where did you go whale watching?  When did you take a vacation?  I pray for my beloved family every night.  Sarah and Dust are gearing up for HI?  Oh, what's their address, again?  And Sean's address?

Man, I wish I had more time. 

 OH!  We went to the Equestrian Center at Cornell today to surprise Sister Hale for her birthday!!  It was AWESOME!!  I would like to tell you more, but alas, the day runs from me. :)  I took pictures, and hopefully I can let you know more next week.

I LOVE YOU!

Sister Smith

Hello!

We saw deer this week, right next to a house, as we were walking last week.  It was very exciting, so I took some pictures!  We moved very slowly as we were taking my camera out of my bag...then I had to carefully turn off the flash so they wouldn't be startled into scurrying away...And boom.  Pictures.

So many things have happened over the past few days to refocus our lessons and studies on Christ.  In the 12 week training program we've been doing (because I'm a new missionary, we get to spend an extra hour on studies every day with this AWESOME program.  Seriously, it is awesome) we came across an important idea that Book of Mormon reading will always emphasize Jesus Christ, because it is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ."  Sometimes as we explain principles to people, we forget to tie it all back to Christ, and that makes our explanation basically pointless.  This is His Gospel, His Church, His work, and if we aren't helping people understand that, then how will they come closer to Him?  I don't think you can know Christ until you know of Him.  And we can't take the Gospel or a testimony into a person's heart, we can only bring that to the heart and then they have to accept it inside, accept the Spirit of God.  How do we gain a testimony?  Why are we members of this church?  Personal revelation from our Heavenly Father's Holy Spirit.  And we aren't just Mormons--we are Christians.  We believe in Christ and our actions should show that belief.  Christ is the Head of this church, and we have access to eternal truths that remain pure because of this glorious fact.  Everything comes back to Christ.  We just need to remember that.  Ways we can do that are focusing on the references to Christ in the Book of Mormon as we read daily, asking Heavenly Father in prayer to help us remember, partaking of the Sacrament every week...Lots of things, I'm sure.  How many times have people suggested putting a penny in your shoe to help you remember something every time you feel the penny?  We could do things like that to make sure that we are always remembering our Savior and Redeemer, the Son of Almighty God, because that's what we've promised to do.  Anyway, it was a good reminder to me to keep everything focused on the Savior. Tie everything back to the Savior.

 Have I mentioned that Ithaca is indeed a melting pot of cultures?  Seriously, it is so ethnically diverse here.  We meet with people who speak Laotian, Cambodian, Karen (a Burmese dialect), Spanish (slash Puerto Rican), Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, Russian, Luxembourgian...many different ethnicities.  There is even a member family in the ward from Kenya!  Yeah!  And we've eaten some authentic Kenyan food--it's really tasty, with lots of rice, veggies, spiciness...yum.  And I've noticed that I know generally where the countries are that different people have emigrated from because of the world draw in 9th grade.  Funny, right?  I don't remember exactly where Laos or Burma are, except that they're in southeastern Asia.  Maybe?  And the members here are so diverse, too, and they really help with the different languages that our investigators speak.  This is a neat place.  Despite all of these differences, we have seen how the Gospel of Christ, His teachings, positively influence every single person's life.  If they are willing to try them out, the miracles appear.  Just like with these new friends of mine, if we try out the Gospel of Christ--I mean REALLY try it out, REALLY live it--then we will see the miracles as well.

 We are meeting with a luuurvely lady who is getting prepared for baptism and I have been amazed at the impact of the Gospel in her life over the past month that we've been meeting with her.  It's incredible!  The Gospel is all about change--if we repent (change) then we will feel more inclined to follow Christ and accept Him.  "[The] natural man is an enemy to God," right (Mosiah 3:19)?  As we come to see that Christ and our Heavenly Father really do love us and have given us so much to be happy now and to be eternally happy in the future, it is far easier to accept this course of repentance.  It has been this way for C (our lurvely friend); as she's learned more and felt the goodness that comes from reading the BOM and praying to our Heavenly Father, she has accepted the course of repentance and change.  What a wonderful opportunity we all have to prepare ourselves for that time when we meet God again and stand up for the works we've done and the desires we've had.  This Plan of Happiness, Redemption, Salvation, is such a gift!

Anyway, the week has been pretty good, except most of our appointments canceled on us.  It was a bummer.  But I went on splits with members!  And I was terrified!  And then I got over it!  Hahaha.  Snow has come again.  Huzzah!  I remembered Crash Bandicoot randomly yesterday, and to my delighted surprise Sister Takapu knew Crash as well!  "Boogie woogie woogie"...Remember that little tiki man face thing?  And the sound he'd make?  hahaha it made me laugh.

Thank you for the Valentine's Day box!  Oh so lovely and tasty!  Thank you!  I LOVE YOU!!!  I was amused to see the "Sour Lips" in the box, Mom.  But then I thought about it and laughed, because I won't be smoochin' anyone for a long while yet--sour lips, indeed!  Hahaha.  Good grief, it's funny.  And the rose card is so cool!!  We love it!  And it has pink sparkles on it.  We decorated a box for C last week with treats inside and we had cut out hearts from sparkly purple and white paper!  Funny.

I think I need to end this, because I want to go back to the apartment and take a nap.  We finally have time after about...5 weeks, and I wish to take advantage of the opportunity to rest my mind and body.  It's hammered.  :)  Such is the life of a missionary!

 I love you so much!  Happy Valentine's Day!  So many things out here remind me of home and the family; don't worry, though, they do not distract or depress me.  I'm still a fresh helium balloon that could fly up to the moon (actually, that's impossible for many different reasons).

I love you!

Sister Smith

February 6, 2012

Something really crazy has happened in the last week since Sister Hale arrived: I seem to be a missionary and not just a trainee.  Hm.  Yes, all of a sudden I've been a bigger part of the planning process, teaching process, laughing process...Hahaha.  All of these changes are great!!  I feel so blessed that there are three of us in Ithaca now!  I felt so overwhelmed most of the time last transfer because there was so much to learn, and now (literally since Sister Hale arrived) I feel like I have accepted my calling and am receiving the blessings of that acceptance.  Having someone new in Ithaca also helps me to feel like I need to step up, speak up, and serve.  When there's someone else hanging onto the line, I find I'm more inclined to hold tight for the both of us.  I probably should have been experiencing this with Sister Takapu because we ARE companions, but she is so able and such a good missionary that I think I just took it for granted that she could handle everything.  Pff.  How ridiculous of me.  Anyway, that is the largest miracle I have seen in my life this past week, and large it is, I'm telling you.  I'm an able missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I can do His work because He has called me and qualified me for it!  Yeah. :)

It is kind of tricky having three of us, but we have been trying to find ways to involve ward and branch members in the work for a while and now we have a great way to do that--"doubling in."  We can go on splits with a sister from the branch or ward and meet with double the amount of people we normally could!  It's GREAT!  Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to teach with or be with my trainer (Sister Takapu), but it's a wonderful opportunity for the work and also my own personal growth as a new missionary (very self-centered of me, I know). 

 

A less active sister from the branch made it to the ward meetings yesterday!!  She really is active except in church attendance, because she's had to work every Sunday for about...a year or so.  But we encouraged her to come to at least Sacrament meeting every Sunday to renew the covenants she made at baptism and feel the Spirit in greater abundance, and she finally talked to her boss and now she's able to come for a lunch break!  Little steps.  I think I may have told you about her already, but...I forget.  Anyway, she's going to buy another sister's car in a couple of weeks so she'll be able to get to church more easily!!  Woo hoo!  It's great.

I can't believe it's February!  THIS IS INSANE.  And I can't believe Matt will get home at the end of March.  Or that Dallin is already home.  Wow.  Oh, guess what--the new elder in the area, Elder Cutler, went to BYU when I did and he lived in Maeser Hall which is where most of my buddies lived (Dallin, Matt, John, Davis, Blake, James, Shawn, Bryce, etc.)!  Haha.  Yeah, I saw him and I thought, I know him.  And then that night I was still pondering this puzzle--why do I know him, how?  Then it hit me: he lived in the basement of Maeser Hall.  The next time I saw him, I informed him of this connection.  Let's not call me creepy, okay?  Anyway, it turns out he had gone to EFY one year with Davis, and he home taught...erm...Blake, maybe?  It's such a small world!  He has been serving for about 17 months now.    We went to the Family History Center this week with a lovely lady, Suzie, from the Food Pantry this week, and we had a blast.  She is so so funny.  And so loving--seriously, she's very lighthearted, but you always know that she really cares.

Anyway, I don't have lots of time left--we want to get back and write some LETTERS.  Woo woo!  I'm quite behind, you see, and we have had VERY busy P Days for the past...transfer.  Hahaha.  I love you so so much, and I'm sorry this is relatively short, but I'll write some letters and look forward to reading your emails next week!!!  Oh, and THANK YOU for the cds and the book and the letters!!  You are so kind to me, the strange Smith in 'York.  Hem hem.

Oh, one more thing--I climbed a tree in Sapsucker Woods! 

I love you!

Sister Smith

Dear family,

I learned this week that I am prideful. Yes, it's true. Hence, the subject of this email is a quote of Lucius Malfoy's (I know, he's a hypocrite, but I really have been striving to be humble!). Anyway, when I was set apart as a missionary of the Lord, I was blessed to be teachable and humble, and I realized at the beginning of the week that I haven't been allowing for that to happen, I haven't been opening my heart and will fully to my Heavenly Father as I should have been doing for many, many moons. Ammon and his brothers rejoice together for the experiences they were able to have being instruments in the hands of the Lord (this is in Alma...26, I believe). At the beginning of their missions among the Lamanites (in Alma 17), they were promised by the Lord that their desires to be instruments in His hands would be fulfilled, and when they had served their missions, supported so so many Lamanites unto conversion, they knew that they had truly had those righteous desires fulfilled. And so, I know now that I want to be an instrument in the hands of my Savior. This is His work, and I'm out here for no reason at all if I don't recognize that and submit my foolish and selfish will to Him.

Along those same lines of pride...I want to apologize if ever my emails or letters seem like I am calling you to repentance. I only want to share with you those things that I have been learning I should have been doing as a lifetime member of Christ's true Church. Forgive me, please.

Return and Report was AWESOME!! Sister Takapu and I left our apartment at 6:50 (ish) in the morn to drive to Syracuse. Let me tell you, it was bizarre to drive so far in one day after being away from the wheel for a while. :) Anyway, Sister Horne and I reunited and had a swell time in their apartment for about 30 minutes and then we headed on over to Utica (yes, I drove the four of us there). Sister Stacey, Sister Horne's companion, is so funny--she's a very energetic young woman. Yes, we had a grand ol' time on our roadtrip. The APs did some wonderful training (it's shocking still to see such put-together young men teaching so well and feelingly). One of the APs, Elder Miller, finishes his mission this transfer, which is sad to me because I love learning from him! Haha. President Bulloch also did some training that cemented this hope that I have of becoming a tool for the Lord. I will be put to the grindstone, sure, but it will make me a more effective servant. We were gone from Ithaca for basically the whole day...

It's incredible to see how people respond to the missionaries--some just open right up and talk about everything. I mean everything. It's like they trust us or something...weird. I'll share a bit about a less active sister that we've been meeting with every week for a long while. She has had many challenges in her life and (I'm not sure if I've written about her before, sorry) she has been saying that she is almost ready to come back to church. She is so so sweet! Seriously, if ever there were a person on this earth who could make you feel treasured and priceless, it is this woman. When we went and visited her last week she opened up about the real reason why she hasn't felt ready to come back to church, and it was a worthiness issue. We told her we'd be there with her, we'd catch the bus up to church together and she could talk one-on-one with Bishop Just, and she agreed. We prayed and prayed and prayed for her to make it to church, to have the courage to come. On Sunday she came down the elevator that was working not knowing beforehand that the other one would have stopped and made her late. She made it to the bus stop downtown where we were waiting on time. We caught the bus. The RS president was driving by as we got off the bus near the church and drove her to the church so we were all able to make it on time. The ward clerk had left a time slot open with the Bishop right after church without knowing why, so this sister was able to meet with him without a problem. She stayed all three hours, and then had her meeting with the bishop, and a lovely young family from the ward was able to take her home. Everything worked out perfectly. She has been living well. Heavenly Father knows her. He knows us. He was able to work through us to help her to heal. That is a miracle. We will see her this week--we don't know how everything went--and we are optimistic that she will be hugely better than she has been.

Something interesting to note about missionary work: it's not just about finding nonmembers on the street. It's about strengthening and building up God's Church. That includes less active members. Seek out the lost sheep! Befriend them! Don't let the full-time missionaries do all of the work, because they won't be around forever! I know you already do a great job of sharing your love with others, but keep it up. See how it can be kicked up a notch, yeah? :)

I have been loving tromping around in the snow. There's not a lot here, but it's been snowing on and off, and it's been great! The wind makes everything quite a bit colder; it goes right through your bones (I'm imagining one of those cartoon, dancing skeletons) and makes your face numb. It's great! Haha. Seriously though, the weather is not bad at all. It's been a very mild winter.

I luuuurve you (Peeves says it that way)! It seems HP is on my mind today. MISS YOU! Keep on keeping on.

Love for always,

Sister Ashley Smith

Woot

Dear family,

SNOW!  Yes, that's right.  We have finally received a goodly amount of it.  And would you believe it if I told you that my attitude was improved because of the snow?  It's strange, I know.  Well, actually, the snow is melted now, because the weather changes suddenly here just as it does in Utah.  I fit right in.

My dear friend Danielle is now a Mounteer!  What?!  That is awesome!  She and Dave are totally enduring to the end. :)  Oh gosh, and I just realized her birthday is in 2 days!  Ha!  She'll have an awesome January every year from now on!  The pictures were GREAT!  Thank you soooo much!  I love you, I love you!  Robin is so sweet to give you some of her delicious honey butter (Danielle likes to eat it by the spoonful, FYI).

Oh!  And Alyse is ENGAGED?!?!  What?!  That is AWESOME!  I'm so pleased. Thank you, Mother, for sharing the news.  And I look forward to a letter from Abbatha. :)
So, this week is "Return and Report"--it's on Friday, and it's in Utica, which means we've to take the Elders' car and drive to Syracuse (approximately one hour) and then carpool with those sisters (Sisters HORNE and Stacey) to Utica (approximately one hour).  It will be a nice little road trip, no?  Anyway, I'm really excited.  It'll be fantastic to see President and Sister Bulloch again (yes, we saw them today when they came to our District Meeting, but it's the best when you get to see the Mission President and his wife), reunite with Sister Horne for a brief time, learn more about being a good missionary without the pressure of just learning through performance, etc.  Like I said: it'll be fantastic. I'm so excited!  I'll return and report next week...hahaha.

D, the really great lady who has such a strong belief in Christ and prayer?  She told us this weekend that she doesn't want to meet with us anymore.  She's going through a lot of hard times apparently, and she doesn't want to talk with us anymore.  My first drop.  It was sad, but I realize that if she is going to accept the Gospel, Heavenly Father will continue to prepare her for that time--He doesn't give up, so I needn't stay steeped in disappointment, right?

D (the recent convert) is going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead on Saturday!!!  Oh good grief, I am so happy for her.  There really is nothing like doing missionary work to feel the love God has for His children.  We were able to help her do some household work and such on Monday and also share a family home evening message--a testimony wall!  Yeah, that little activity in the Ensign this month where you create a wall of testimonies?  Sister T wrote prettily on a poster and put index cards on it and such so D can write down experiences that strengthen her testimony of the Gospel principles (faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost).  She loved it; she wants her grandchildren to be able to see and read and know that she believes in God and Jesus Christ.  She is so wonderful.  Ah!  I love D.

This Sunday, the Burmese family that we have been teaching came to church!!!  Yes!  All five of them, plus their translator friend!  They are refugees from Burma and have been in the US for about 6 months, I believe.  There is quite a language barrier, but it is awesome and inspiring to realize that they believe so strongly in Christ and believe the same tenents of Christ's teachings that we do in the Church, only they don't know all of the truth.  Because there is that language barrier, it's been slower going in teaching them about the restoration of Christ's church and the priesthood, but their understanding is growing very quickly.  It's incredible how our Heavenly Father works, lifts people along the path that He knows we all have to take to return to Him.  He wants us to return to Him--how magnificent is that?  He really is our Father and He wants us to be happy and with Him forever--that's why we're here, so we can have that opportunity.  WOO!  Please, as members of Christ's church, we have a responsibility to share this truth and salvation with everyone around us!  Pray for opportunities to share what you know!  Pray for courage to speak up when one of those opportunities arises!  This is so important.  Can we call ourselves disciples of Christ unless we follow Him?  Alma 25--read it.  See what the newly converted Anti-Nephi-Lehies do to show their faith.  Faith is not stagnant, it is not static.  It must be ever growing.  And how will it grow?  By exercise!

He shared this saving knowledge with all who would listen while He was on the earth--it is now our duty to do the same in His stead.  "Will I let myself be an instrument in the hands of the Lord today?"  That is the question I am going to begin asking myself every day, because a lot of the time I focus too much on myself, on my will, and this is NOT my work.  I am only here, in Ithaca as a missionary, to do the work of the Lord.  I am His servant.  So now I need to "work, work, work!" as President Benson said.

I feel so guilty that I didn't participate more actively in the missionary work in our ward while I was home--please don't forget that there are missionaries around you and you can HUGELY bless their efforts if you will coordinate with them.  Let them know that you would like to go teaching with them sometimes, by appointment.  Members share the Gospel.  You can relate to people in a way that is unlike the way missionaries do.  We are set apart from the world for this time, but you experience many of the same things that investigators, nonmembers, do.  Help them see that Mormons aren't cliquish, aren't strange, aren't hypocritical--you have to really mean it.  These are all things I wish I would have known even a few months ago.  How silly of me. :)

Anyway, one last story.  It happened like two hours ago.  It's fresh off the press.  We were supposed to meet with a less-active member today in the library like we do every week, when a lady came up to us that we'd previously met in a strange situation that I won't detail; all you need to know is that she had been visiting with that less-active sister who had expressed a desire to come to church with her strongly believing boyfriend.  So, her name is N (ha) and she came up and asked if she could meet with us some time to receive a spiritual boost, have Bible study, or something.  We said of COURSE, we'd love to.  We said we'd been waiting to meet with this other man, but he was late and it may be that he won't be showing up and could we just talk with her now?  She said sure and we called this brother to make sure he wasn't coming (he didn't answer) and we went on our way.  This woman...she's a beautiful lady, 29 years old, and she has had a hard life.  She is so close to the Spirit, totally wants to follow Christ in all things and is discouraged by the wickedness and misunderstanding around her.  We talked with her for an hour, got to know her situation and history a bit better, and I KNOW she has been prepared and supported by our Heavenly Father.  This came out of nowhere.  We thought when we first met her that she didn't like us--that was a misunderstanding.  Anyway, she's trying to do all she can to live right, and she took the initiative to ask to meet with US.  Not the other way around.  We were OYMed.  Hahaha.  OYM means "open your mouth"--be bold and speak up so you can find those people who are searching for the truth.  So basically she's incredible, and I know that none of this would have been possible if it weren't for our Heavenly Father's hand.  I am so thankful to be a part of this work!

I need to go.  I love you.  I love you.  The pictures are of a bit of Ithaca (the stream from a waterfall), Sisters Horne and Waterworth, Sister Murray, me, uh...I don't remember which other one I loaded.  Anyway, love yous!  Keep on keepin on!

Love, Sister Smith

Chere famille,

 I'm not sure that anything that happened this week at all relates to King('s) Cross Station, but, alas, I thought of HP and so that is the title of this email, though not necessarily the subject.  Obviously, since it is in another country.  How does Dumbledore say it in the 7th book when he's talking to Harry?  I can't remember--it must be too worldly. :)

This week a lot of our appointments fell through, but we were blessed to meet up with people that we haven't seen or talked to in a while.  Heavenly Father works in incredible and mysterious ways, doesn't He?  OH!  I went to a baptism for the first time as a missionary on Saturday!  She is nine years old and was taught by the elders in Ithaca, but we went and took our "undercover investigator" (she's undercover because she is hesitant about actually meeting with the missionaries even after going to church and reading the literature for months--she has legitimate concerns that are pertinent to her situation) and it was awesome.  Baptism is essential for our salvation!  We HAVE to be baptized by the proper power and authority of God to be able to live with Him after this life!  Please, I know that you have been in the Church for many years, but it is so important that we understand how important these basic principles are.  That is why we are always hearing that we should be studying Preach My Gospel as members of the Church, because it contains the basics, and we can learn again as we study WHY we believe, HOW we believe, WHAT we believe.  Good grief, this Gospel is so important.  What other adjective can I use?  It is absolutely essential for ALL of us.  It is our duty and responsibility as members of Christ's church, and joint-heirs with Christ, to help other people understand the necessity and pertinence of His Gospel.  It doesn't have to be this huge, scary thing, talking to nonmember friends or family about the Gospel.  Do you love them?  Right, then sharing what you believe with that someone whom you love should be simpler.  Conversations about the Gospel can be introduced by talking about family history--I learned about that this week. :)  The Spirit of Elijah is real, and feeling that spirit allows us to come closer to God and feel His Spirit more fully.  So talking to people about their family history, their ancestors, where they come from--it all helps them, and us, to feel the Spirit and feel the importance of ancestry.  We are linked to Christ through our ancestors.  Missionary work and family history work are not separate--they are distinctly one.  Both relate to the present time. 

 Woah, now that I've stepped down from my soap box...mormon.org is awesome.  Have I talked to you about it before?  There are so many great videos about people all over the world in many varied circumstances, with many personalities, who talk about their belief in Christ and how that belief has helped them.  You should probably check it out. :)

 Oh, I'll tell a story.  One of our investigators (I'm going to start calling them friends) didn't show up to our appointment after the baptism on Saturday, so we rode back to our home with the Timothys (the CES missionaries).  And then we found out that one of our recent converts had had a family emergency and needed us to talk to and comfort her.  If we had been in that meeting with our friend, we would not have had the time to be there for this strong lady, and she really did need support.  That is just ONE miracle from this week.  Heavenly Father looks out for His children--He knows when we need help, and if we're doing those right things that He's told us we need to do, then He will ABSOLUTELY send help.  As we show Him that we are trying to help ourselves as we ask for assistance from Him, don't you think He'd be more willing and ready to grant us that assistance?  Yes. 

 In answer to your question, Mother, yes I did receive the box!  I was so excited to get it!  And guess what--Sister T got one that day, too!  (It was on Saturday).  We didn't have time to open our boxes when we found them outside our home, but when we were walking back at a time that we thought we could open them (it turned out that we didn't have time then, either), I almost sprinted back home.  Uncharacteristic of me, I know.  Anyway, we were very glad to have them.  Sister T says thank you, Mom, for taking care of us physically. :)  The cds and Triscuts were a most beloved surprise!  Thank you, thank you!

DANIELLE IS GETTING MARRIED THIS WEEK!!  Woah.  That's crazy!  I am so so so excited!  I received the announcement/invitation in the mail this last week and I almost wept with joy!  (I didn't because I'm learning to keep my weeping to a minimum; we'll see how this education turns out).  I did squeal.  Many times.  Yes, please take some photos; I'd love to see their joyful faces and beautiful raiment.  Give Robin a big ol' hug, Mom, yeah?  And Clarissa.  And Danielle, of course.  And you can probably just shake Dave's hand, though I'm not sure what he'll prefer.  He might try a hug. 

Sister T is a way better cook than I am.  You'd think I'd be able to work some magic in the kitchen by now, wouldn't you, Dad?  Apparently I haven't been very teachable.  Anyway, we did make tacos and spagetti this week, which was just marvelous.  We have many dinner appointments planned this month with members--they are so generous!  I tell you what!  You should have the sisters over some time for dinner; it really improves relations between the members and missionaries.  And having that gap minimized is important so we can ALL do missionary work!  Yay!

What else can I tell you?  It was about 8 degrees one day last week, and I thought my cheeks and nose would never feel again.  But it was only one day and now we can handle 30 degree weather much better. 

I love you so so much!  It's hard to believe that you aren't just a phone call away anymore, but we must press on.  I love you and miss you!

Love for always,

Sister Smith

Oh My Family!

I have many bullet points written on a couple of sticky notes that I would like to address in this weekly email.  First is...family history.  How is it that I have been raised in the Church and I don't even know if I'm related to Joseph Smith?  It's absurd.  So, Dad, are we related to those famous Smiths of yore?  I know we're related to Levi Hancock through Mum's side, but that's the wrong side of the familia.  As for the Schroeder side...when did they come to America?  What's the sitch (that means situation)?  I should have investigated more of our family history before leaving, right, but I didn't so...the ball's inyour hands because I dropped it.  I would be MIGHTY thankful if any of you'n saw fit to write me the letters of our histories.

Point two (I won't continue to number them because they are plentiful and you know how I am with numbers): How is Papa?  Are you on the road to recovery, Papa?  Are you keeping your vision upward ("it is better to look up")?  It's hard to, I know.  And you, Gammie?

 

MICHAEL IS MARRIED!  Woo!  That is so exciting!  It sounds like the wedding was beautiful and fun, and I was glad to hear your account of the trip, Mom, thanks.  We always did love a good road trip.  And Bray didn't like Pirates?  That's too bad, it IS pretty spooky, though.  Wait...isn't that the one Rob went on 3 times?...That can't be right, I must be mistaken. :)

 

The basement...Oh!  I remember why I wrote that down: is it all cleaned out?  Has a painter been hired to do the deed of beautifying the walls?  Are you alone in the basement yet, Chris?  And along the same tenor...how are Sarah and Dust?  When does Cameron come home again, February?  And are you getting excited for Hawaii?!  Have you researched some awesome places to visit?  Things to see and do?  Take pictures like you did in Mexico, yeah?  Okay, yeah.  And have you given in to the Christmas card tradition yet?  I didn't get one from you, so I certainly hope that if you have been sucked in that you didn't forget me...SEND ME AN EMAIL!  It's faster than writing a letter.  It's not hard, I promise.  Oh, and typing is fun.  And you always have a device with you that allows you to access your email.  No excuses, now. 

 

I discovered that we can listen to cds!  No iPods, but yes cds!  Hallelujah!  Would any of you be willing to send me some of my church music?  Some Jon Schmidt perhaps?  Or Alex Boye?...Hahaha.  Sister Takapu and I get the Ithaca elders' car Sunday afternoons until Monday afternoons so we can run errands in the morning on P-days, and we listened to this mix cd of church music today while driving about and what did I hear but an incredibly powerful song by Alex Boye?  This is some serious gospel music, so beware!  It's called "Word of God Speak" or something (I'm naming it from the chorus).  Look it up.  For real.  It makes me feel so...desirous to be worthy of God's presence in my life.  I want to badly, I need so badly, that presence always in my life.  And I am blessed to have it through His Holy Spirit, every day, every minute, because I have made a promise.  What a gift!  I am so thankful!  But yes, listen to the song--"ees good!"  Name that movie.

 

Oh, and I looked through a picture book (My Redeemer Lives) while we were visiting a recently baptized sister's home, Dyana, and I found a very powerful painting (obviously it was printed in the book by ink, but I assume it was originally a painting).  The title of the painting is "Hope" and the artist is Liz Lemon Swindle.  Look that up, too.  It depicts two of Christ's Apostles running, with tears of hope in their eyes.  The Risen Lord.  Their Friend, Teacher, Savior, Shepherd, Redeemer.  As disciples of Christ, this is how we can feel as we remember our Savior and the miracle of His Resurrection.  As we remember that He lives!  I know our Savior lives.

 

Do you remember in the Disney classic "Aladdin" when he asks Jasmine, "Do you trust me?"  I relate that to my relationship with Sister Takapu.  She has been serving as a missionary for a while now, and yes we are equal as companions, but she has a LOT MORE knowledge about being a missionary than I do.  So...do I humble myself and trust her?  Do I choose to listen and not rebel?  Do I feel resentful about having to be led by someone else like Laman and Lemuel, taught by someone who is my peer (she's a little older than I am, but the question stands)?  I think I was kind of like Laman and Lemuel (the brothers L, I'll call them) last week; even if it was nice to have someone other than me calling the shots, I think I also felt resentful that I had to follow soemone else.  I think that is in large part due to my pride.  This last week, however, I decided to just trust Sister Takapu.  You're probably thinking "jeez, yeah, of course you should trust her, you doofus!"  But honestly, I discovered I'm a prideful person so it was difficult for me and our companionship suffered a bit because of it; it wasn't as unified as it should be.  Don't get me wrong--I haven't ever argued with Sister T or had serious problems; this was all inside me.  But Heavenly Father, because He needs this work to move forward, and because we were praying and studying and doing what we are supposed to, He softened my heart.  He has helped me to trust Sister T and there has been much more unity since I've let down my walls and been humbled.  Obviously I need her to help me know what things are the best for me to do as a missionary, how best to do something as a missionary.  And I love her!  She is absolutely fabulous!  :)  For real.  This problem was all on me.  But worry not--this too has passed.

 

In reference to Panera Bread, I have passed it already about four times while driving...It is by Walmart and every other major store (Lowe's, B&N, etc).  We're only over in that area on P-days usually, though, so I haven't been able to visit that wondrous eatery.  I stand by my promise: I'll eat there before the end of this transfer.  Oh, and there is a Jimmy John's downtown, too.  Interesting, eh?

 

Sister Grant is this wonderful, hilarious, blunt, strong, 80-year-old woman in the ward who is also a ward missionary.  Last week she surprised us with an invitation to go to lunch with her and Dyana (see above)!  How sweet, right?  She's awesome; she grew up in Massachusetts and has a thick accent that I love.  Anyway, we went to lunch at the Chinese Buffet.  SWEET!  Let me tell you, it was a blessing to be invited to lunch, and I was SO FULL afterward.  Good grief.  You've gotta love being a missionary.

 

Dyana was baptized in November, and she is so funny.  I love her.  She and her husband, Tito (not a member) are quite a hoot.  Gracious, she has this boisterous, happy laugh that just spreads your smile from ear to ear as far as it will go.  It makes me so happy.  But something that I really love about Dyana, other than her laugh, is that she is so excited for life after death.  She is so excited and pumped about the blessings we are promised in return for our kept promises.  She is so stalwart and ready to do the right things so she will be worthy to receive those blessings.  She's really bearing down on Tito to get baptized so she can be sealed to him in the temple; it's kind of funny to hear about, actually.  He's great, though; easy-going and happy.  They both LOVE "the sisters."  Both are Puerto Rican, so they speak with NY/Spanish accents, and it's awesome.  I LOVE THEM!  I LOVE THIS!

 

Dad, I thought of an analogy as I got ready this morning that I wanted to share with you, but...It turns out that if I don't write things down, I forget them.  So, the analogy is hidden for a little while.  Sorry. Hahaha.

 

So, Danielle IS getting married after all?  I didn't know, you see.  I haven't received ANY NEWS about the wedding yet...nudge nudge.  I understand these are veeeery busy times, but...please!  I just want a little note!  That's all!  Please? :)

 

Good grief, this is a long email.  Do you know the Book of Mormon edition of the Ensign that was published a few months ago?  Well, Elder Christofferson wrote an article in it that I was reading this morning.  (Here is the miracle, Mom).  In the MTC I realized that I didn't "know" all of the things I thought I did, and so I had a hard time.  I felt like that struggle was something that other people in my district weren't dealing with, and I didn't want to reveal this particularly tender difficulty with my companions because the MTC is a hard enough experience for one person to deal with.  I talked to one of our 2 teachers, Sister Murray, about it, and she reaffirmed what I'd already decided to do: I needed to act in faith, move forward and do the things I'm asked, and Heavenly Father will bless me with a witness of the truth of all the Gospel, everything I've been taught since my childhood.  I'd receive that knowledge "after the trial of [my] faith."  So I've been praying since then, and doing those things I'm supposed to, in the hope that I'd receive a witness.  I did receive it.  As I neared the end of this article by Elder Christofferson, I read in his testimony that his knowledge of the divinity of the Book of Mormon is the foundation for his testimony of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I KNOW the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I KNOW it is divine.  I didn't realize until this morning that Heavenly Father has been leading me to this answer for a few days, that knowing the Book of Mormon is true is enough.  That is enough for me right now.  Because it does build the knowledge of other things.  We are promised that in the last paragraph of the Intro to the Book of Mormon, and little did I know that I'd be my most important investigator this week.  I can say now, and it is a MIRACLE that I can, that I know Jesus Christ is my Savior.  I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him, that he restored His Church to the earth by the power of God, and that he translated the Book of Mormon--scripture SAVED for OUR DAY--by the power and will of God.  I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that this is truly Christ's church on the earth.  It is run by the power and authority of God, the priesthood, and that is the only way Christ's church can be run.  It is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, and Christ is the most important part--the corner stone.  This is the miracle, this is evidence of God's hand in my life, this answer.  I am so thankful.

 

One last story, yeah?  We visited a lady named Diana last night, who has been visited only a few times by the missionaries.  As we talked with Diana, read through the Restoration pamphlet, the most overwhelming feeling of gratitude filled me up.  She has been prepared by the Lord to receive His message.  She is one of His elect.  She has faced many trials in her life, but her faith in the power of prayer, and in God's divine assistance, are very strong.  She is an example of the believers to her family and the people in her apartment building.  The Spirit was so prevalent in our meeting with Diana!  She is absolutely incredible.  She goes to another church, but she is listening to this saving message!  She is accepting us into her home, accepting us into her love.  She has been prepared, and I am so thankful to be a part of Christ's work in helping her receive His restored Gospel. 

 

I am sure Sean's talk was the most wonderful thing, ever!  And of course he sounds mature and full of the Spirit--he definitely grew as a missionary.  Truthfully, if you don't grow as a missionary, you are doing something wrong, and Seanie--he was doing the right things. :)  Yes, please tell me about Keaton's talk if you go!  Oh, and Kam's email's?...Would you mind it terribly if I asked you to send them by post?  The ancient way?  That way I'll have time to read through them and I'll have more mail!  Hahaha.  Thank you for making such an effort on my account, Mom.  I love you.

 

There is so much I would share with you, so much I wish you could experience with me.  This work is blessed, it could not function without the Lord's guidance and authority. 

 

Thank you, Dad, for always working so hard to keep our family afloat.  I know Heavenly Father has blessed us as we've strived as a family to live His Gospel.  There are so many people here in Ithaca, and most certainly everywhere but I've been too self-absorbed to notice, that have so little and yet are willing to give so much.  I want to be one of those people.  I want to develop that Christ-like attribute of charity more fully so I can fulfill the promises I've made to Heavenly Father.  He gives so much, and we are closer to Him as we do the same.  Be generous!  Life is more than what we hold in our hands, and we have more than we need.  With great power comes great responsibility, right?  It's a new year, let's work to be more generous and give freely of our time, talents, and goods to those who need them, who will benefit from them.  Who's to say but God what role we have to play in the lives of those around us?  I love you soooo so so (to the infinite power) much, family!  I do.  Thank you for always supporting me despite those qualities of mine that are so irksome.  Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for providing me with a safe place to land.  I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed our family as we've lived it.  Keep on working!  There is no growth in comfort and no comfort in growth, right?

 

Okay, this has taken a lot of time, but there's just so much to say!  And there's no time limit for emailing in the field, unless the place you're emailing from has a time limit.  Uh oh, right?  heh.  I learn so much every day!  Last week flew by, it was so fast!  The missionary schedule is the BEST!  Try it.  Go on.  Try it.

 

I LOVE YOU!!

 

love always,

Sister Smith