Luke 2:10-11

"A very joyous, happy, Merry Christmas to one, and all! Let the Christmas bells ring I get to talk to my family this week! Emailing is all good, and well. Letters are a treat but talking on Skype, praise to the man! That tops all. I told my companion that I am never coming home because I am more spoiled as a missionary than as a normal ginger..I mean person. Now, that's a lot. My parents treated me as good as ever, but now I have all these members who feel bad for us because we aren't with our families so they give us gifts too, and bake goods. I'm far too blessed. One of my friends who is also on a mission told me she is happy to be serving a mission because she can focus on Jesus for once. Now take some time to ponder that. It's sad, but true. The world is really distracting but as a missionary we really get to celebrate Christ's birthday to it's fullest.

So I feel like understand the joy a doctor feels when he tells a lady that she's going to have a baby. I recently had the pleasure of telling someone they are Jewish. When I came into the ward I saw a member of the Bishopric, and thought "wow, a Jewish Latter-day Saint." Then I found out he's last name is Hartzell, and I just knew. So we had supper at their house, and I say "so you're Jewish?" to which he says "I am?" umm dot dot dot then he goes on to say that they don't know much about their family history, but he's always thought he was Jewish. I told him "well I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure you're Jewish." He was beaming. He said "this is the best news I've received in... years!" He turned to he's wife and said "you married a Israelite baby!" That was a highlight of my week.

My one investigator hasn't smoked in a month, and a half, and he is the sweetest. He lives in an apartment that is practically empty, but he had one decoration, and it's a glass Christmas tree. I told him that I liked it, and he said "You like it, you can have it!" and started to pick it up to give to me. Ahh bless he's heart. He has almost nothing yet he's willing to give me one of he's only belongings. I love that as a missionary I am able to learn from so many different people. The Lord blesses us to see the good, and I am just working on keeping my head above water so I can soak it all in.

Merry Christmas, I love you all, Heavenly Father loves you all, and Santa loves you all."

2 Nephi 2:25

"I've been out for 8 months tomorrow! How crazy is that! Time seriously fliesss by! I am sad but not sad at the same time. Everything has a time and place. Everything is going so great. I haven't slept through the night in over a week, and everyone knows how much I love to sleep so I have been dragging this week but I just pick myself up, pray a little more, and continue pressing on. I know that it was a good week but on account that I've been so tired; I really can't remember much. Oops, my bad. I wrote it down in my journal though. I do remember that I attended the most spiritual baptism of all time. I didn't even teach this girl  but I cried during her baptism. She's 24 and was really wondering what the point of life is when her friend invited her to church. Bam 3 weeks later; she's baptized, and happy as ever. The Spirit was so powerful throughout the whole thing and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. That was a highlight. Another highlight was when my companion and I decided to drop dead weight. We decided to drop all the people who weren't progressing, or weren't doing well. We decided to have the faith to turn them over to the Lord and let Him prepare them. Well right after we did that the one calls us all the time and really wants to meet with us. What the what. Sometimes I think the Lord just has us act on our faith before He rewards us. 

My investigator hasn't smoked in over a month, I haven't eaten candy in over a month, and I lost 4 pounds so whoooppddyyy dooo. It's almost Christmas, and I am happy about that. We created Law of Chasity game plans with our investigators. It was pretty funny. My companions was all virtuous like "no kissing until I'm married." Mine was more like "only kiss boys you are seriously dating, and only kiss standing up." ha ha then one of my points was to only flirt with boys I actually want to date, and she thought that was so funny. She thought that would be so obvious. Live, and learn. Life is great. See you in 10 months! God love you, I love you, and your mom loves you!" 

Moroni 7:45

"Hiii, it was a pretty great week! So many things happened that if you were a missionary you would be so happy for me, but since you are just normal people it's not as exciting. Like we have 7 new investigators! That is super exciting but it really doesn't mean much to you. Just know souls are being saved in Vegas. 

Monday we get told by the Elders that one of their investigators is in their area so we have a lesson and pass her over. We set her for baptism, teach her, get her to church, and then she tells us that she gave us the wrong address and she's actually in another missionaries area. So that was eventful. This lady could honestly be taught by a Sunbeam class and get baptized though. She's so prepared.  

My favorite investigator. The addict. Had a seizure in church. Right during sacrament. We were sitting with our new investigator, and we didn't see him come in. Then I saw him sitting all alone, so I was upset because the ward is the worst at fellowshipping. Then as I am sitting there so annoyed he has a seizure. Somehow I just knew. All we could hear was crazy sounds like a rabid cat was loose and some how I knew. I turned to Sis W, and said he had a seizure and sure enough. He is such a good person. Some men took him out and called the paramedics, and the first thing he said was "I'm sorry." then he was so funny because the paramedic asked to see his tongue, and he said "I didn't bite my tongue, because I don't have teeth haha" We all had a good laugh. He hasn't smoked in 2 weeks and is going strong!

So I think everyone's life goals is becoming more Christlike and one way we do this is by developing Christlike attributes. Well a crazy thing is happening right now. All of our investigators exhibit so clearly one Christlike attribute. The addict is so humble, the lady who is moving all around is charity, another is knowledge, and another is patience. It's insane to me how clearly these people show so powerfully one Christlike attribute. I think it's a sign that I need in improve all across the board. Right now I am working on repenting immediately. Like as soon as I notice I do something wrong then I say a little prayer in my head. So far so good. It's good because I feel better but bad because I notice what a sarcastic jerk I am. Good thing we all have time to improve." 

Mosiah 3:17

"Life is great, and perfect and I seriously fall more in love with being a missionary every day. Elder Bruce A. Carlson of the Seventy came to talk to our mission and he told us a lot of things that I'm not obsessed with. He talked a lot about how to be happy and he said:" 1. smile 2. focus 3. be obedient 4. work." He went on to explain that no matter what stage in life we are that those 4 things will make us happy. I for one love things being black, and white. I hate confusion, and so I love that he just gave us 4 things to be think about. (Even though really all I think about is the Millineum, the priesthood, and the temple.( Seriously obsessed with thinking/talking about those 3 things.)

I found out that I will be with my companion for another 6 weeks. I am so happy that I will get to be with someone I already love over the holidays.

So I am working on loving my investigators more. Before I came on my mission my stake president told me to "see them in white." i.e. see them in the temple. I have been doing that and it's incredible. I already know that everyone can be forgiven for their sins but seeing them completely changed and in white in the temple; lights up my life. It helps me to see the potential that the Lord sees in them.

I'm so excited for Christmas. I love talking about Jesus and Christmas is the one time of year that EVERYONE also likes to talk about Jesus. So that's a win win.

LOVE YOU" 

2 Nephi 2:11

"Everything is going so great! We had a very balanced week: new investigators, street contacting, a baptism, member lessons, less-actives. It was just a great all around week. This week my motto of "you get to choose to be happy." was really tested. We got a perfect new investigator.My investigator got baptized- side note funny story right there. Our investigator has a hard time bending so bending backward to get baptized was a struggle. He had to get dunked three times, and when he was finally submerged people started to clap. In the end he was baptized by immersion by the priesthood authority and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. So it's all good in the hood. Then my investigator called us and dropped us hard. Beyond hard! He told us that he chooses Satan over Christ and that he was choosing hell. It was super dramatic! It was actually insane! I felt like I was in a dramatized mission movie. So this brings me around to my point. I could just cry about he's eternal damnation or I could be overjoyed at my other investigators eternal salvation. I'll chose eternal salvation everyday; thank you very much.

The mission is so funny because although I work so so so hard for these people, that they might gain faith in Christ. In the end it really only matters if my faith is solid because that is all I can control. I have to work to help others, but it all comes back to how your testimony is doing.

So I am loving life. I went back to the basics, and am focusing on the simple gospel, and that is making everything better. I've been out 7 months. So nuts! 

P.S. So that investigator called us the next day, and told us that he wants to try again. We laid down the law and told him this is it he has to come to church, pray, and read the scriptures or we cannot help him. He is doing worlds better.

Psalms 139:23

"This week was crazy as ever. Gladys Knight, and the Saints United Voices performed in LasVegas. Basically it's a choir that pumps up hymns, and they sing. It was a pretty good time. The adversary is working over time because it was a hassle, and a half trying to get any of our investigators there but it turned out. One of our investigators- the one who dumped me- he came. At the beginning I told him "Are you going to be embarrassed when I get into it? When I dance, and clap?" He said "no, I expect nothing less out of you Sister Smith." Well the tables turned, and he was wayyy more into it than I was. He cried during "I am a Child of God,"and during a jazzed up Hawaiian hymn he was dancing, at one point he was literally the only person in the whole place who was standing and swaying back and forth. It was a great time. It reminded me of dancing to Christian pop, on a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Long live Jerusalem! 

We are at dinner the other night and a little girl says "let's tell scary stories!" Her 4 year old brother turns to me, and yells "CAT WITH A KNIFE!!" I died laughing. I am still dying laughing. Why are kids the funniest things around?

One of my investigators is getting baptized this weekend! He is so great! He requests us to sing songs to him and he just want to talk about Heavenly Father and how great He is all day long. 

Lately I just think about how come people don't try. Our investigator is obsessed with how he won't be able to quit smoking or drinking coffee and I turned to him and said "Why not try? How sad is it that you are calling defeat already when you haven't even tried? The Lord blesses those who try, but He can't do much with those do don't put in any effort." It has really made me think about that. Lots of times people are happy, but they could just try and be happier, Or they have a testimony but the scriptures say that the mysteries of God will be unfolded to those that search.It's just sad to me how many people just let life past them by before they even put in an inch of trying. 

Anyways life is great! I love my area, my investigators, and my companion, and I love the Savior. So life is great!"  

Mosiah 18:8-10

"Ring in the praises, and release the doves. My investigator who I talked about last week, the one that dumped us, he called us on Tuesday, and set up another appointment. He then called three hours later, and left a voice mail cancelling the appointment, but we decided to go anyways. So we went, and had a nice little pow wow about the Atonement and what the Priesthood means. Then he stood up and threw away his cigarettes away, and committed to try again. It's been a dream come true since then. He is praying regularly, reading his scriptures, and he calls us everyday to check in. We quit candy with him as he quits smoking and he really loved that idea. He calls to make sure we haven't given into our cravings. I wish I could say giving up candy was a walk in the park but I seriously would eat candy all three hours in church to stay awake, so I was dragging during church. He called us the other day just to tell us what a good job that we are doing. He said, and I quote "I love you to death as sisters!" My heart melted. Melted! He calls, and sets up his own appointment, by saying "I would really love to study the Word today.What time are you free?'

So we had dinner the other night with a member, and her old parents who aren't members. When we were leaving they started telling us about their belief in God. Their idea was that He is a cloud that is infinite, but not all powerful. He doesn't listen to everyone's prayers.He really doesn't love us because why would He let bad things to happen and further more why would He send He's Son here to die. I am constantly in shock about people's idea of God. How sad to think that lots of people really don't know that God is our loving Heavenly Father, that He listens to all our prayers, and sending Christ to earth shows just how much He loves all of us. Craziness!

For Halloween we got to watch a movie! That was the thrill of the century for a missionary.The movie was Ephriam's Rescue. Now, I am really into Pioneers. #missionary obsessions.

Everything is top notch, and Jim dandy.

P.S. I feel asleep during a lesson the other day. Yup, my sleeping is just as bad as a missionary. I mean I go to bed by 10:30 pm, and wake up at 6:00 am, but that doesn't stop me from wanting a nap. To be fair it was during a movie...but then I feel asleep when we were teaching the Word of Wisdom too, so yeah...I'm bad." 

3 Nephi 8:13

"When you get your mission call there is a "To Do List," of things that a person should do to help them better prepare to be a missionary such as read the scriptures for a half hour everyday, and study from Preach My Gospel, well the Church really needs to add one more thing to that list: "Get dumped." Our investigator broke up with us last night! My very favorite investigator. He's been struggling quiting smoking, but keeps saying that he is committed to he's date. We get out of dinner, and we have a voice mail. It's from our investigator. I don't think anything because he calls us multiple times a day. Then we hear the message, and he says "Hey Sister Smith, and Sister Worthington. I went to church with my friend today, and I just wanted to call, and say thanks for everything but I think I'm going to go to he's church now. I learned a lot from you. Thank you." He broke up with us over voice mail! He doesn't even have the nerves to do it in person! (I would have been hysteric if he would have texted). I calmly tell my companion to roll up her window, and then proceed to scream. I just yelled at the top of my lungs. Of course we had places to be so I am just yelling in the car about "He won't even get in the Celestial Kingdom now! He can't have access to the Atonement, because that dumb church doesn't have the Priesthood! The Authority of God! The AUTHORITY OF GOD!" So that was the hysteric stage. Then came the angry stage; "Sorry, that you have to quit smoking to be baptized, really we are sorry that that is so hard to quit smoking but guess what I am sure it was really hard for the Savior to suffer for your sins! I'm sure it was really hard for him to die on the cross so that you'll be able to live again." (Please note that I am not with my investigator but I am just unloading this all to my companion.) Then came the manic episode. I started laughing hard while fat tears just rolled down my cheek. Saying "No, one's ever broken up with me before!" At this my companion was  "not even a boyfriend?" So now I'm off on a different tangent saying "I always knew I would go on a mission so they were always more into me than I was into them, I would just let things fizzle out, and plus I was always leaving: home to Canada, or Jerusalem, or my mission." Then I wiped off my tears, and am currently happily residing in denial. I will not admit that he dropped us. I'm convinced that we are just taking a break, that soon he will call us, and set up another appointment. Denial is a great place to be.

So let's talk about the reason why I had such a dramatic meltdown. Well mostly because I love him, and I know that it's only through the gospel of Jesus Christ that a person can be happy, but also because I knew why he wasn't progressing. It's a reason why all of us don't progress at different times of our lives. Why Junior High was the worst thing of my life it's because he had forgot that the Atonement takes work. It takes work to feel the complete joy that the gospel brings. It takes work to pray every day, to read your scriptures every day, to go to church each week, and it takes even more work when you are working to overcome an addiction. But the fact of the matter is it's worth it! It's worth it to repent so that you can feel completely happy, it's worth it to read the scriptures to receive guidance that Heavenly Father wants you to receive, and it's worth it to pray even for a couple minutes everyday to have the blessings of heaven poured out on you. There are numerous reasons why it is worth it, but mostly it's worth it work hard now so that after this life we will all be completely perfectly happy in the Celestial Kingdom all high fiving. (Is it wrong that the thing I am looking forward most in life is high fiving my converts in the Celestial Kingdom?) LOVE YOU" 

Moroni 7:13

"This week was great! I hit my 6 month mark, so that was very exciting! I feel weird because it was one of those weeks were I feel like I just grew so much spiritually that I don't really know what to say because I don't want to spill the beans on my personal revelation. We are working in a new ward that weirdly reminds me of my home ward. My companion, and I are getting along better than ever. One of my investigators got baptized this week! That was pretty exciting! She is in her 50's, and has been through a lot to get to the place to be baptized. She understands the gospel the way that I wish everyone did. She understands that keeping the commandments makes us happy! That they aren't rules, but guidelines to make us happy. Her husband is also my favorite. He told an Elder this week "You should really think about marrying Sister Smith! She is so spiritual, and kind, she might be the nicest lady in all the church!" He preceded to tell him "Sister Smith will support you in all your spiritual endeavors for the rest of your life," and then right before we parted ways he says to the Elder "Also Sister Smith is a redhead, so she'll keep your life spicy!" The confidence boost that I needed, also during a lesson this week he interrupted and said "Elders, we are looking for Sister Smith a husband for when she gets home." He is the funniest. We had a fireside this week where a man sang "Redeemer, Savior of my Soul," and without shame I just sobbed. I just knew what he was singing was so true. That Christ lives, and that I can be forgiven, that I am forgiven, that because of the Atonement I have the strength that I need to be more than I am, to be the person that I really hope to be one day. It is just mind blowing to me that I really know that Christ lives! It also reminded me of Jerusalem, and I was filled with gratitude for how my testimony grew there, and is growing now. Needless to say, it was just what I needed to strengthen my testimony at the end of a trying week. God is good always." 

Alma 30:40-41,44

"This week I hit my 6 months mark. Isn't that the weirdest? I know it's probably gone so slow for all of you, because you've been busy crying about my absence every night but it has gone by so fast for me. So fast. This sound horrible but I feel like it went so fast because I'm the same. It's weird to me but I'm still the same person. I am WAY more patient, understanding, my passion, and understanding of the gospel has sky rocketed but I'm the same in what I think is funny, the jokes I tell, my feelings about major topics. Is that bad? I feel like my parents just did a good job at nurturing me to decide who I want to be before I became a missionary.

This week I came up with a new life motto. Some people see the good, but I want to see the God. I sound like a crazy hardcore Christian, but I was talking to this guy, and he said he didn't believe in God because he had a deadly brain tumor when he was a kid, and he survived, but some other kids died, so he doesn't believe in God because some kids die. I want to face palm him, and say "BUT YOU LIVEDDD!!!" He went on to tell me all these miracles about he's family, and telling me that "well, I just see the good in things, but no, I don't believe in God." I was like "Umm WHAT, that was all a loving Heavenly Father!!!" So no I don't see the good, I see the God.

I was walking through an apartment complex when I hear "Have you ever seen a cute missionary before? Heeerreee comes Sister Smith!!" It was a recent convert in one of the wards, talking on the phone to another older man in the ward. Then on Sunday they were talking about the Law of Chasity, and he was teaching. He used me for an example for modesty he said "What if Sister Smith went around missioning (investigators love to say missioning) in a mini skirt?"  And everyone died laughing saying "Then our baptisms would sky rocket, but they'd be for all the wrong reasons." Being a missionary is hilarious, and weird. Members quickly realize that I take teasing well, and then they just go to town. I love it.

Just found out I'll be with my same companion for another 6 weeks, so that should be a good time. Love you all."

Matthew 11:30

Everything is going so great! We teach, teach, teach all the day long. All my investigators are doing great, and I love them all. One crazy thing that happened... is remember Sister D? She brought herself to church a couple weeks ago and then we met with her and she cried about how happy the gospel made her.Remember her? Well, she hasn't been able to meet much because she is on call at her job so we decided to stop by this week. When we came to the door she happened to be coming out at the same time. When she came out she just started crying. She told us how tired she is. Then she went on to tell us that she is so tired because her husband hits her and how he just poured beer on her, so she came outside. She told us how her husband tried to throw her Book of Mormon in the garbage but literally couldn't do it. Then she just started praying. She gave the most thankful prayer that I have ever heard. She said how thankful she was for the sisters, for Christ and the Atonement and she said that she was thankful for the Book of Mormon even though she doesn't understand most of what it says. It was incredible! This lady who has every reason to not feel God's love for her or feel thankful for her life offered up the most heartfelt prayer full of gratitude. She didn't ask for one blessing. She then hugged us all.She told us how she is ready to leave her husband and do what the Lord wants. In all of this she told us our spiritual gifts. She turned to me and said "And you, you can just look at a person and they see the light of Christ, just looking at you  makes them want to be better." I don't know if that is true at all but I was beyond flattered. She kissed us all on the cheek, we said another prayer, and we haven't heard from her since. Weirdly I'm not worried. I know she will be okay and that she will be able to accept the gospel. So in closing everything is great, I am happy, and I learned bounds and leaps from General Conference. Life is good."

Alma 29:5

"We are just teaching up a storm! Seriously.

Let me tell you about R, my investigator. He met with missionaries 2 years ago, but couldn't quite smoking so he couldn't get baptized well he quit smoking, and saw some missionaries on the street went up to them, and said "I quit smoking, and am ready to be baptized!" He is so great; he calls to confirm appointments before we go. He called me today saying that he couldn't read the Book of Mormon because he's eyes were blurry, and he was just calling to say sorry. He has a lot of health problems. He came to church yesterday, and it was the cutest thing he kept doing whatever I was doing, like if I leaned forward on my knees, he would, or if I prayed, he would, or if I'd nod my head in agreement, he would. I bore my testimony, and then he asked me if he was allowed. I told him "of course" even though I was a little nervous because we have only been meeting with him for about two weeks, but he got up there and first thing he says is "I'm not baptized yet but I just want to say that I know that Christ lives, and that Joseph Smith really did restore His church to the earth." he goes on to say that he's felt the Holy Ghost more in his life now, that he's been reading the Book of Mormon (even though he doesn't understand most of what he reads), and believes that is true, and through all this he kept saying how the sisters helped him learn this, he brought us up multiple times. I was beaming! It was so, so, so great! One funny thing is that because of medication that he is on he has to drink a LOT of water. He brought a little duffle bag to church full of water, during sacrament he drank three bottles. So after he bore his testimony, I tell him he did so great, and he says thanks, and because of all the water he has a lot of saliva, and he spit a little on my face. jajajaja so spiritual to spit! I didn't even mind though. Then in my next ward our investigator who got married on Saturday so that she get baptized bore her testimony! Right after she got married, all she said was "Now I'm right with God!" It was so great! I told her congratulations, and she said "Thank you, it just feels so right to be keeping all of God's commandments. Life is so great; I am LOVING being a missionary! It's hard work, but I am just utilizing the enabling power of the Atonement, and pushing through. One thing that I am learning is that I get to chose what my attitude is. I get to chose to be happy, and that's not dependent on my investigators or my companion, it's dependent on me. I love that. Every day is perfect when I chose how I want to use my agency. Love life."

Omni 1:26

Turns out that I got transferred to the chosen land. We were off to a rocky start because our area book was in shambles, the members were only semi-supportive, and we had so many meetings that we didn't really have the time to organize things. Well this past week we had training that lite the fire in our zone, and miracles. I’m serving in two family wards and they only had a couple of investigators in both wards (the area had some missionaries for a really long time so things were pretty stagnant). This last weekend was full of miracles; we got 5 new investigators, and set 3 of them to be baptized in the first lesson. All three with dates are pretty golden. The one is Sister D, she cried when she heard the First Vision, and she told us she's never felt this way about any religion. She kept saying how she knows that this is the truth she's been looking for. I had never felt such a strong spirit as when we taught her the Restoration. You know when you bear your testimony, and you get kind light headed because the Spirit is strong, and you don't really know what you said but people thanked you afterwards. That is what it was like during this Restoration lesson. I knew words were coming out of my mouth, but I really can't remember what I said. I just remember this intense Spirit. Miracles happen! I'm learning more, and more every day. I'm obsessed with being on a mission right now (I want to come home one day, and go to Burger Baron), even though my companion is always on my case because I always have worldly songs stuck in my head, but besides that things are super great. Mission love.

Acts 2:37-38

Hey, I have been out 5 months! 5 months! That means I only have 13 more months, that kind of seems like a long time but that's only a month longer than a year, and year really isn't that long. (haha this is what missionaries think about time, everything is so short.) So I had a suppppperr great, incredible, amazing, sent from heaven week! Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came, and spoke to our mission on Tuesday, and it was perfect. He went around and shook everyone's hands, and there was a gap before me, and he said "Hello, Sister Smith, nice to shake your hand!" Oh my, here is a celebrity saying my name. I then listened, and he didn't call anyone else by name so I was super proud of myself, at the same time Smith is a pretty safe name to attempt to say.  He answered all the questions, and thoughts that have been wreaking my brain for the past few weeks. So I've been concerned with enduring to the end, and how I can become changed, but not prideful like some return missionaries are. The first thing Elder Anderson says is "You don't need to compare yourself with anyone! The only person you need to compare yourself with is yourself! The Lord knows who you'll become, and you can make yourself become whoever you want because you get to choose, and decide!" Bam, thank you Elder Anderson! Everyone knows that I've been known to laugh with the best of them, and at every chance that I can get, usually leading me to be the only person laughing in an audience. He was talking about how we have to strengthen everyone's faith in Jesus Christ, everyone's, everyone's, everyone's, and then a few more people. He says if we only strengthen people's faith in Christ as we are teaching them lessons we'll miss 75% of our mission (because we really aren't in lessons that much, we wish but it's not reality) clearly he is telling a joke so I die laughing. No one else laughs or even chuckles! He looks right at me, himself laughing, and says "You like my sense of humor!" Oh goodness, my laugh, blessing, and a curse. 

TWO of my investigators got baptized on Saturday!! It was a perfect day! J the 65 year old, golden star got baptized in the morning, and when she put on her white jumpsuit she came out of the change room sobbing because she was soooo happy, and we both just hugged, and cried. She's so ready for a new life. She often says how she only wishes that she could have learned about the gospel sooner in life. She snubbed me yesterday because she didn't want to be late for class. Bless her heart. A from my old area who I worked, prayed, and slaved over for 4 months got baptized! I never thought I'd see the day, she had a lot going against her, but she has such a powerful testimony, and she knows what she wants in life, and she got baptized! It was a perfect day. Love you all.

Alma 26:12

So I am in my new area. I am serving in two family wards in North Las Vegas. I am loving life in these two wards. It truly is a member missionary gold mine, and we have sooo many ideas to help the members.

We are teaching a lady named Jeanice who is the most prepared person of all time. I know that I have never done anything in my life right enough for me to be able to teach her, she is so prepared. Beyond prepared, talking to her you'd think she was a member all her life. She frequently says how she only wishes she would have met the missionaries when she was younger. The Sister's meet her the week before I got here. We teach her everyday, and she is getting baptized on Saturday. She bore her testimony to us after reading 2 Nephi 31, and talked all about how she knows that getting baptized is just a step, that will help her endure to the end, and enter the temple. She loves the temple. She's 65, 108 pounds, and maybe 5'0", and I love her. She has some health problems and her only fear in life is not living long enough to enter the temple. Praise to the man, where do you find someone so devoted to the Lord than little Jeanice? 

My new companion is Sister W, she was raised in the military so moved all over, she's so sweet, she writes poems, loves everyone, and bears these beautiful edge of tears testimonies, and we work great together. She's really good at the passion, and I'm really good at the facts so we bring great balance to each other. 

There is so much work in this area, and it's perfect. I prayed and said that I only want to work in hard areas, that I only want to work so hard for every miracle, and that is this area. There are so many miracles to receive if we do that hard work, and we are excited to work. 

I love my new area, I love my new companion, I love being a missionary. I miss everyone but this is right." 

Mormon 9:19

"If I were to title this week anything is would be miracle week, and frequently throughout the week I would yell 'Let Miracle Week continue!!" I will give you a play by play of miracle work so you to, can glory in God with me. First thing to note: this was the last week of this transfer so there was a good chance me or Sister F would be leaving after this week, so we worked hard. 

Monday: Our investigator had been flaky and not replying to emails so we decided to just stop by her house. When we got there she invited us in, told us all about how her ex bf had been telling her Anti lies, and so we just asked her to testify. She testified beautifully! She told us how she knew this was God's true church, that Joseph Smith really did restore it, how President Monson is a living prophet (side note, we haven't taught her about living prophets yet, she researched for herself), and how she knows that Christ's lives! Her less active Mother also testified that this is the true church, and then set her daughter for baptism. So Ashley is getting baptized on the 14th! Miracle week is off to a good start. 

Tuesday: I was on exchanges with a Sister who this is her second transfer. First we found out one of my favorite less actives quiet smoking! A couple weeks ago we were desperate to find a new investigator so we went through our area book, and texted every former, and potential (over a hundred people), and one blessed soul responded, and invited us over to meet him. He's name is Kevin, he has been meeting with missionaries on, and on for 5 years! We made it clear that we are not here just to talk about religion in general but to talk, about Christ's gospel, and the only way that he can really know for himself if this is true is if he follows the missionaries’ guidance of praying, reading, and going to church. My other favorite formally less active was there, and she testified so powerfully about how you can just feel inside that this is true from the peace it brings. 

Wednesday: I was with a dear Canadian sister for half the day so that was a miracle in itself because we just talked about Canada all day long, well that, and the gospel. Then we had a meeting with our ward missionaries, and there is one ward missionary who loves to reprimand us. Every chance he gets. He asked us what we do all day, and we told him. He pulled out his phone, and gave us 12 referrals! That was so amazing. We have only gotten 4 referrals all 4 months, and then bam 12! 

Thursday: We taught Ashley our investigator the 10 commandments and her two less active parents sat in, and both testified! It was so incredible!!! They use to not even let us in their house, and here we all are sharing our testimonies, and then we all ate cake together!

Friday: This may not seem like that huge of a miracle but we prayed to get a lesson with a member present. We had nothing planned. So we talked to some random two guys on the street. The one ended up being a member, and although we realized fast they were both pretty wasted. We were still about to share a message with them, and prayed with them. Maybe somewhere down the road they will remember the feeling during the prayer. 

Saturday: Bad news! I found out that I am getting transferred! Let me tell you, I cried, so much I couldn't stop myself. I kept going about going things and tears where just streaming down my face. I feel like I have worked so hard in this area without a lot of measurable success. I know it's not about measureable but sometimes that just makes you feel better about yourself. Luckily Heavenly Father knew I would be so upset so He gave me miracle week, and let me tell you it continued. We were able to speak to a less active who we've been trying to see for 4 months, and her active Mom was there. It was perfect. She opened up, and explained why she doesn't go to church, and agreed to receive the missionary lessons. 

Sunday: I told Ashley that I was getting transferred and she started crying. She cried on, and off for all three hours of church. I felt so bad. I bore my testimony, and after we both just held each other, and cried. It was as dramatic as you can imagine. We even shared a Kleenex. She is so strong, and she doesn't need me anymore. She'll be fine without me. I was able to say goodbye to most people I love at church, and have one last dinner at Bishops! 

Well it was a miracle filled week! I know that I am supposed to move on to a different area, I feel peace about it, but my first area will always be dear to my heart. God knows how to make me the best missionary I can be, and if that means being transferred than so be it."

 

Amos 3:7

“This week I came to the weirdest realization, that too many members don't actually have strong testimonies of a living prophet. The members like what the prophet tells us at General Conference but don't actually take that as direct council from Heavenly Father and apply it. It's turning into a pet peeve, here is an example: so the prophet President Thomas S. Monson changed the age missionaries can serve. Here I am serving at 21, so the age change doesn't really affect me but I hear people talk about it all the time. Lately people think it's okay to make fun of the age change to me and say how ridiculous that such young, immature children can serve, thinking that I am going to agree. Nope, if a prophet said it than I am more than cool with it. It's just sad to me that we have a living prophet for our age, to give us current counsel from Heavenly Father- he is the mouthpiece for Heavenly Father on earth, and yet some people still think that they know better than him. Sad times. Luckily, the majority of people realize what a great blessing this is, and act with faith on what we've been told. Now to a lighter topic. I say a lot of things wrong here is running list of things lately. All enthusiastically I said to a member "You know what they say: every member a member." Instead of every member a missionary. We were talking about the moisture I said "well it is Monson season, instead of monsoon season. I was telling the Ward missionaries that the Missionary Broadcast in June was going to be historic because President Hinckley was speaking. Yup, our dear past away President Hinckley. How bad. I also informed the ward missionaries that a member lived in Salt Lake instead of saying Las Vegas. I think I was thinking Provo is to Salt Lake as Henderson is to Las Vegas. Who knows though? I love serving a mission. It's the greatest! The funniest, weirdest things happen every day. I love you, and miss you all." 

Alma 5:26

"I have been out for 4 months! Where does time go! Four months is the longest that I have ever been away from home, and so I am a little worried that I'll get homesick now, but we'll see. I don't think I will because good news everyone I think I have finally reached that "the gospel is the only thing that matters, how can anyone have time for anything else" stage in being a missionary. I still relate to people, and understand but then at the same time I'm like "wait you don't go to church? What do you do with yourself?" I still understand that reading the scriptures can be hard for people but I will never understand when people can't pray. It's sooo easy to pray! You just get down on your knees, and talk! And you get hundreds of blessings, and good feelings in return. Everyone should just pray ("I just have a lot of feelings" I guess I'm not so far gone that I can't quote a teen movie.) I've always been known to have a passion for the gospel but now that is all I can really talk about it's a burning fire. We have been encouraging all the members to have a nonmember or less active at our dinner appointments. Our dinner appointment brought his cute nonmember friend to dinner, and we taught her the Restoration! She said that she wants to learn more. We asked her to read the Book of Mormon, and she said "Umm sure, I mean I've always wanted to read it so maybe this is a sign, so yeah, yes I will read it." Miracle, oh miracle! Usually people are all "umm..." Turns out people like things fast in this modern day, and don't want to read a full book to know the truthfulness of the gospel. Well God is good. I love being a missionary. Write me letters or emails because I love those too. Love you long time." 

2 Nephi 27:23

Blessed, glorious, celestial week! So to be honest it was a week most like the others. Visiting, visiting, visiting. Until the blessed Sabbath rolled around. My first week in the field we met with Ashley. We have been meeting with her ever since. She is a delight. She had kind of stopped progressing until bam she came to church two weeks in a row, we taught her a magical lesson about the Atonement, and she came up to us after sacrament meeting and asked us if we would pray for a baptismal date for her! Blessed day! She has had two baptismal dates before but really didn't seem to understand that without being baptized she couldn't have full access to the Atonement, and we didn't want to pressure her. We felt that if we just kept our faith up knowing the time would come it would. And it did! God really is a God of miracles. People always act like miracles are magic but truly miracles are just the natural reaction of faith. When there is faith there is a miracle. Sometimes that miracle doesn't come until after the trail of our faith, sometimes it comes fast, and I've even noticed that I had miracles in my life that I didn't recognize until years after the fact. Heavenly Father is the same today, yesterday, and forever. That means that when we keep the commandments we are blessed. It's always been this way, and it will always be this way. Isn't that the greatest? Oh I love the restored gospel. Oh I love being a missionary. Oh I love being obsessed with the gospel, and no one can judge me because I am a missionary. (Shout out to me before my mission.)
So I went to a mall for the first time since being set apart. That was weird. Everyone just stared at me trying to read my name tag. Talk about being self conscious. Then there is just worldly music being blasted every which way. Which I didn't so much mind, but then I remembered that I was a missionary, that I couldn't just do a little grape vine, and then it got a little awkward. I got a little overwhelmed in Forever 21. There are just music, bumping, clothes, and people everywhere. I found a skirt that covers my lovely lady knees, and was 50% off so that was nice. (Thank heavens that no one in Vegas wants to be as clothed as the missionaries so all the modest clothes are always on sale.) I am loving being on my mission. Of course I miss all my people but its great serving the Lord." 

D&C 28:16

 "Hiiii, everything is great as ever. I love being on a mission more and more everyday. I think part of that is because I understand my role, and who I am as a missionary better and better everyday. It was harder at first because I was confused with how to act, and what to say. Now, I just act how I think and say what words come out of my mouth and it's perfect. The greatest miracle that I am seeing on my mission lately is that when I just start talking the Holy Ghost always tells me what to say. Often times this last week people were telling me that they really appreciate what I said, or that it was what they needed to hear, or something along those lines. Its so great because I know that it is not me at all. There is nothing about Shealeigh Smith that could help these people, I know that it is all the Lord, and I LOVE that. Truly, the help that I could bring as Shealeigh is nothing compared to the eternal happiness that me being Sister Smith for 18 months can bring these people. I love the restored gospel. It lights up my life, and makes everything right."

Alma 34:37

"Does anyone realize how short a year and a half is? How short eighteen months is? I have only been out 3.5 months but it feels like I have only been out a week. It feels so short. One thing that I like to do so I realize how short a mission is is to look at expiration dates and compare it with how much longer I'll be out. I ate some cashews before my mission that would not expire until I was already home from my mission. My deodorant doesn't expire until I'll be home for 6 months. My yogurt doesn't expire for a month and I'll be out for almost 5 months by then. Does this make sense? Well it does to me. It really freaks me out. It helps me realize that my time on my mission is precious and it is up to me how I will use this time. A mission will always be a part of who I am. I can use my agency to decide how I will let it affect my life. I'm happy. My ward is doing great. We had 5 less-actives at church! I love less-actives. I am so excited for when I get home from my mission, and I can help out the church and do my visiting teaching! Less-actives just need a friend, and visiting teaching is how the church gives everyone a friend. Oh, the church is so true! It's insane how true it is. LOVE YOU!" 

1 Nephi 17:2

Hi Hi Hi, everything is going great! I am just wrapping up the last week of my 2nd transfer (just to keep everyone in the know there are 6 weeks in a transfer, and I'll have 13 transfers in my mission)! Time seriously goes by so fast. More members are giving us referrals, and things are getting better every day! I love this ward, and I love serving the singles. It was kind of weird at first because we are the same age, and everything but now it is a delightsome time. I got to go on a road trip to California! Well Needles, California which is barely California but it's a part of my mission. We went for training. I LOVE trainings, you learn so much, and are reconfirmed about how great the mission is. I also got to see my MTC companion which was great because I love her. One thing that I learn time, and time again in life, on my mission, and from being in Las Vegas is that things, people, events cannot bring you happiness. The only thing that can really make a person happy, genuinely happy is doing God's will; keeping the commandments, going to church, praying, reading the scriptures, loving thy neighbor. It's not all the things that are going to make a person happy. Especially being in Las Vegas I have learned this. There are so many people here who confused happiness from Heavenly Father with the things of the world. Now that they are engrossed in things of the world, and blame their unhappiness on the church. It's really sad. I'm so grateful that I was raised in a family where I was taught from a young age that the gospel is really the only thing that brings you happiness. Everything is great. I am surviving the heat. It's actually not that bad. It's so sad but when it's only 100 F' I am sooo happy. I use to cry at the thought of that. My companion is great. We are suppose to give each other frequent compliments to build each other up so I try to be a good righteous little missionary and give her specific compliments about things she said in a lesson, or about how good she is at teaching me or whatever, she like to give me different kinds of compliments. Last night for a compliment she said "If I were a guy I would waayyy rather see you in a swimsuit than (says name of super skinny sister missionary) because you've got the curves going on." I mean I was flattered but I have no idea if I'm good at teaching, hopefully. Love you all love time."

2 Nephi 4:2

Hi Hi Hi. How is it going! Everything is great, and toasty in Las Vegas! The Singles Ward is great, I really love serving in a singles ward. Turns out that the most satisfying thing is working with the less actives. There is a shockingly large amount of less active people in my area and I LOVE visiting them. We will talk to someone on the street and about five times out of ten they are less-active members. It's really sad, but the great thing about visiting with less-actives is that they still have a testimony they just need to be reminded. All we have to do is show them that we care about them, ask them a few touching questions, and bam they want to start praying again, or they even come to church! Last week we had five less actives at church! It was a miracle! I was overjoyyyeedddd! My favorite part of the day right now is personal study. The Book of Mormon always says what I need to read. The Book of Mormon is incredible. I'm obsessed with reading it. We are so blessed. I LOVE you and Miss you!"

1 Peter 1:5-8

"Happy Canada Day one and all! I cannot believe that I will miss two Canada Days. I really should have planned better and missed two Christmas’s instead. Las Vegas is having a heat wave. I heard that it’s supposed to be one of the hottest summers in years. Turns out that this cold loving Canadian can actually handle heat pretty well. We ended up teaching the Restoration on a doorstep in 110 F. weather, and well everyone was dripping sweat everywhere I was just feeling a little clammy. Blessing from above. One thing that I never stop learning is to just love people. Really the best way to help anyone is by giving them Christ-like love. Everyone needs that. I cannot force anyone to read or to come to church but if I care about them they will understand that it really isn't me that wants them to read or attend church but Heavenly Father. People will better be able to understand the power of the Atonement if they are shown love. It would be hard to comprehend Christ's love for you, a person that you haven't seen face to face (well in awhile); if you haven't had a person you know show love to you. I have realized that if I really love those who I meet that Heavenly Father will know that I care about His children, and He will tell me what to say, or what to do to best help them. One of the greatest things about a mission is that you get to learn everything, and relearn everything super fast. It's like learning under a pressure cooker. Missions are the greatest tool to help prepare you for eternity. Love you." 

Pictures of Sister Shealeigh

                                                         Shealeigh at District Meeting

                                             Sister Smith and her companion Sister Fernandez

D & C 4

"I am so happy. Being a missionary is the greatest oxymoron of all time. You are happy, tired, selfless, selfish, confused, confident, and everything else all at the same time. Did everyone catch the broadcast last night? It was all about missionary work and it lit up my life. I am not ashamed to say a couple tears came to my eyes over the passion of missionary work. One of my favorite things that I learned from dear Elder Boyd K. Packer is the best way to be a teacher is to just start. He explained that the best way to share, and teach the gospel is to just open your mouth, and start speaking. I know this is true. If we start speaking Heavenly Father will tell us what to say. Further more if you are sharing the gospel because you love that person, and you want them to have Celestial glory with you then it doesn't matter really what you say because that person will see the love you have. It'll be natural, and remind them of their Saviors love for them. Let's all open our mouths, and be happy that we have the true gospel in our lives." 

1 Nephi 3:7

"I have been out for 2 months! Can you believe that? It's so insane. Every day goes by faster and faster and I know it'll feel like a week, and I will be home again. The mission is the greatest. I am happy knowing that I am doing what Heavenly Father wants for me, and that this is going to be the best thing to prepare me for my life. So just to get to the point, my mission is reading the Book of Mormon in 75 days, and everyone should join! That would be so great. We could have an emailing Book of Mormon club. The Book of Mormon will answer any question or concern that you have, and I know that you can come closer to Heavenly Father, and get a better understanding and application of the Atonement through it. SO yes, email Book of Mormon reading club! Hooray. I cannot wait!" 

Doctrine and Covenants 60:2-3

“I finished my first transfer! What the what. I have been out in the field 6 weeks. Craziness! I am with Sister Fernandez again, and in the same YSA ward. I am so happy. The ward is great, and supportive. Just in case anyone wanted to know that I am still funny and awkward. I will assure you that I am. During a Restoration lesson with an investigator I accidently ripped pg. 1537 right out of my Bible. On the back of this page is James 1:5, yup the Joseph Smith scripture that I use all the day long, and I just went ahead and ripped it right out. I had to try not to kill the Spirit of the lesson, and act all cool about ripping my scriptures. Like it was no big thing. Sister Fernandez told me that the ward see's me as their friend, and that she is the business women, and that we bring balance. I'll take that any day. A member in the ward asked me to be a bride’s maid for her when she gets married next year. I will be home from my mission, and of course I said yes. So I love my ward even though all the boys insist on wearing polos to church.
I had my first baptism! It was incredible! It went perfectly. The investigator is 19, and she just graduated from high school. She is just sweet, and it is contagious. She told me that she is really happy that I am here for another transfer. It is really nice when people say that they like you, and appreciate your hard work because mostly I just feel like a creep because I love and care about my ward so much, and I was worried that it was one sided.

I am so happy, so freakly, and so excited about being on a mission and serving Heavenly Father whole heartily. Love you all." 

Alma 36:20

"I've learned a really great lesson this week that the harder you work the happier you are. Don't be confused thinking that because I worked harder that somehow we just had so much work, nope actually the opposite, we had about zero work this week. We gave our all, and nothing really came from it. Friday was the first day this past week that someone let us in their house, and it was a less-active member, great but they just need friends. But the Lord always gives tender mercies that make everything worth it. So, my first investigator is getting baptized on Saturday! Umm what. How did that happen you ask? Well I will tell you. Some Elders were teaching a girl, and she is 19 graduating from high school this year. They taught her all the lessons, set her for baptism, and then called us to take over so she can have an easy transition into the YSA ward. We've taught her once, and joined the Elders for a lesson. She came to the YSA ward this week, and is already friends with everyone. She's so great. SO that is the story of my first baptism. Heavenly Father just put her on a silver platter, and passed her over. We may not have been able to teach her everything or been able to teach anyone else but it was enough. I will get the door slammed on my face a thousand fold for just that tender mercy. I will get the door slammed on my face a million fold if that's what God wants. I do try to talk to the people before, and even after they slam the door, but only God, and themselves can soften their hearts.

Doctrine & Covenants 9:7-8

Hello everyone. I am going so great. My investigator has a baptismal date for July 6 which is her birthday. Doesn't that make your heart a little happy? I am doing really great. I am happy and working hard. We've been teaching members the Restoration lately, and it is the best thing ever. I get new insights, and chills every single time. I love the gospel. I love the Restoration. I love that we have a living prophet and that although Moses’ was a great prophet, and I love his teachings, that I also get modern day revelation. What a marvelously mind blowing thing that is. God is good."

James 2:20

Another week as come and gone; can we all just take a moment of silence because of the fact that I have been out for over one month. What the what. Where does time go? Luckily I still have 17 months to learn all the things that I need to before I rebirth into the world (Too far? It's kind of true. I am in an earthly "pre-mortal" existence. I am naive to the things of the world. I am really eating up these missionary lessons).

First on the agenda. Can I take a minute of your time to praise my ward? Keep in mind that I am serving in an YSA ward (which is a ward where single humans ages 18-31 go to a ward together). We have had members present at every lesson, they feed us, and when they can't they drop food off, or take us out, they have signed up for us to come over to their houses and teach them the lessons so that I can get more practice. The Relief Society President is the kindest human on planet earth. I may or may not have teared up during Ward Council when she talked about how if God gave their ward Sister missionaries then He knows that the field is white already to harvest (Doctrine and Covenants 4), and that there must be a great many people that they all know who need the gospel and they just need to pray and fast for names to give the missionaries. She said it far more eloquent than that, but it was tender.

We still only have 1 investigator but we have plenty of potentials which are hopefully. Preach My Gospel says that success is measured by how much effort the missionary gives and how obedient to the rules. With that measuring scale I can only go to bed happy each night because I have done both of those things to a tee. We visit a lot of former investigators, and less-active members. Can I go off on a rant? Faith without works is dead. Okay thank-you. Rant over. You understand me. From visiting so many people from all walks of life I only have a greater testimony of this. I can say that I am a doctor but if I haven't gone to med. school or ever worked as a doctor than am I really a doctor?

Secondly can I just say never, never, ever, ever date someone who isn't LDS if you are (especially if you are a return missionary.)You aren't going to convert the other person. You’re not going to have a happy part-member family. You are just robbing your children of an eternal family. Now that is not to say you shouldn't have nonmember friends, and help them learn more about the gospel. You should do that every day. Have a hundred nonmember friends, give them all Books of Mormon, and have them met with the missionaries just do not date them. Thank you.

I know this is a stray from my usual updates it's just I talk to at least 10 people every day who have so many problems that route back to these two issues. I am not trying to preach (well as a missionary I am called to preach so maybe I am), but I just spreading what little knowledge I have. I may not be able to teach lessons to many people here in Henderson but maybe I can help people at home. 

Love you forever."

Moroni 7:13

Time flies eh? I have already been out for almost a month? Isn't that mind blowing? I mean I am sure everyone has been really missing me, so you've just been counting the days.

One good thing about a mission is that you quickly realize what your faults are, and what you need to change to become a better missionary. I think one of my biggest issues so far has been stressing whether it is the Holy Ghost prompting me or if it is I. Good thing, Moroni 7:13 calmed my nerves, and helped me realized that it doesn't matter. That if I am putting my trust in Heavenly Father, and just open my mouth then I am saying what He would want me to say. Now I just need to work on breaking my independent spirit (A hundred boys cheer because I don't make them feel needed. Sorry, I am a missionary now.)

If I just put my trust in Heavenly Father then everything will work out. The work is hastening, and I am so excited about it.

LOVE YOU all"

Moroni 7:45

"I am finally in Las Vegas, well Henderson. MTC was the greatest. I love everyone in my District, and my teachers. I would go back. They should start up an MTC summer camp where you go for two weeks then go home, I would do that after my mission. Oh yeah, I would love that. I am serving in an YSA ward the blessing of that is that everyone has non-member friends and so there are plenty of people around to teach, we just have to find them. My trainer is so cool, her name is Sister Fernandez, she's 22 years old, been out for 9 months, she was serving in Spanish but got called to train me in English, and she's from Boston. I am so happy to be finally in Las Vegas, and be able to put in some hard work. It's so weird, that other night I went to bed at 10:00pm, and it was the best day of my life, but that is what happens when you are laboring all day. The Lord's work is hard work. One miracle that we had is that we were in Boulder City eating at a member's house, and after we decided to go visit some people. We tried to find a boy that was listed in the Area Book, but there was no apartment number so we just saw a random address, and went there. There was a really nice girl who had been taught by the missionaries before, she told us that she knew the church was true but that she just had to read the Book of Mormon, she said that she was glad we were girls because she felt more comfortable talking to us. It was amazing. I loved every second. She is busy with school but said she'll call us in a week, so hopefully that happens.
Thank you everyone for writing me and giving me notes before. I've taken to starting everyday with reading a note Bryson Toth wrote me, and another note from family or friends. Everyone thinks that will make me homesick but really it just reminds me why I am serving a mission. I am serving because that church is what has brought me the most happiness, and has brought me my favorite people, and now I need to make those people proud by serving with my whole heart, soul, might, and mind, anddddd everything else.
God is good always.
p.s. I am serious when I tell you that I am already tan, I didn't put sunscreen on one day, and now I am tan (well normal skin colour). I am sorry all my pale lovers. I will do my best. "

Doctrine and Covenants 31:3

Guess what? Yeah, I have made it one week at the MTC, it truly is mind blowing. I feel like it was yesterday that I was just saying goodbye to my parents, Mattison, and Letty at the curb, and now I am a veteran of the MTC. Every day at the MTC feels like a week, and every week feels like a month, but no time at all. Makes complete sense eh? Here is a little analogy of the MTC: The MTC is like a roller coaster of spiritual highs, and emotional/tired lows, the name of the roller coaster is Perma-Chills because honestly the whole day consists of getting chills from singing a hymn, teaching an investigator, or seeing a scripture in a new light, and this roller coaster would start 5+ minutes late because the roller coaster actually lasts five minutes longer than what was scheduled ( Evvveryyy thing in the MTC runs late). You have gone to the MTC you will understand that this is a perfect analogy, if you haven't then just trust me.

One hard thing for me has been learning how to make my personality MTC appropriate. That really has been my only concern. It's not like my personality was bad, but mainly now I just can't break it down in public. These glorious hips of mine must stay hidden for the next 18 months, and everyone is really sad about it.

My companion's name is Sister Jensen-Coon; she is 19 years old, from a small town in Montana and is wonderful. We are weirdly a lot alike except I am super girly, and she likes guns, and hunting. But besides that, we are both very direct, funny, have had lots of the small struggles, and worries, and we both take turns helping each other.

Sorry, that this is so short, but there is limited time here, always always something to learn and do.

Just know that I am learning soooo much, I am sooooooo happy, and my testimony is growing every day. I am learning how to see the Lord's hand in all things; everything is perfect through Him.

Love you to the moon, and back

Sister Smith (Sooo strange, and perfect eh?)"

Acts 15:23

Well ladies and gentleman the time that you’ve been dreading, the time that I’ve been looking forward to is finally upon us. I am reporting to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday April 17, 2013. I will only been in the MTC for a coupleish weeks until its show time for me in Las Vegas.  

Write me at:

Sister Shealeigh Elizabeth Smith
MTC Mailbox # 276
NV-LV 0501
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Or just see that information to your right and email me, or write me in Vegas (Am I allowed to straight up say Vegas yet? Or do I still need to be formal and say Las Vegas?), and that way there will be letters waiting for me. Winning.

Thanks so much for supporting me, and I probably love you, like a lot. One of my good/bad qualities is that once I love someone I always love them just as much no matter how much time has passed so don’t fret it won’t be awkward between us in eighteen months (Here’s looking at you October 2014) because I will still want to be friends just as much.

My dear mother will be updating this blog well I am away so be sure to check back to see what your favorite ginger is up to.

Heartheartsmileyface. 

1 Corinthians 9:16

When I got home from Jerusalem, I knew without a doubt that I was supposed to go on a mission, but I just didn’t know when. Should I go right when I turn twenty-one? Or maybe wait until I finish my degree? Or maybe take a year off school and then go? Or, or, or, or. I was feeling extra confused because I was accept to attend pharmacy school in Winnipeg, but I kinda just wanted to move to Utah and have fun with all my new Jerusalem friends, and all these great opportunities for my future kept coming my way.  

I was only home for about three weeks before I decided it was time to pack up the Buick, and take a road trip to Idaho, and Utah to visit my friends. It was fast Sunday that weekend, and so like a good ginger I was fasting that I would know when the Lord wanted me to go on a mission. That Sunday every single person bore their testimonies about going by the Lord’s timeline, and forget your timeline. This was a very straight forward way for the Lord to tell me that I needed to serve my mission when I was twenty-one, and that everything (that means everything, so sorry boys!) else needed to be put on the back burner until I got back. I felt completely at peace with this. Lots of people questioned me giving up some much, but I simply do not believe in a God that has already blesses me immensely, but when I give Him eighteen months of pure devotion, He takes away the blessings He had in store for me. Heavenly Father just doesn`t work like that.      

Living it up in Utah for the weekend

I tried to start my papers at the end of July, because I was going to Peru for about a month and that way I would be able to work on my papers as soon as I returned home. Being a Bishop is a super busy assignment, and consequently starting my mission papers was forgotten. The partier came out in me and I decided that pharmacy school was not the right step for me to take, but taking the party to Utah to finish my degree was right. I figured I’d just wait and start my papers with my Bishop in Utah. One, thing lead to another, Letty, and I couldn’t figure out what ward we were supposed to attend for the first few weeks, then the Bishop in our newly found ward forgot to start my mission papers for a week or two, and so officially I didn’t start my papers until the middle of September. Working on my papers was hard, not emotionally but actually complicated. It is not as though the Church asks too much of you to complete your papers, but it seemed like everything that could go wrong did; I’d fill out a form wrong, I had to go back home to Canada to finish the medical part of my papers, the doctor in Canada gave me the wrong fax number not once but twice, and then the Bishop filled out his forms, but forgot to save them meaning he wouldn`t have time to do it for a couple days. It was a lot to handle, especially when some people just wipe mission papers out in a week. It didn’t seem fair that when I was doing what the Lord wanted that it would be complicated.

I mostly just played with children in Peru

At General Conference President Monson announced the age change for missionaries. Previously boys would go at age nineteen for two years, and girls would go at twenty-one for eighteen months, now boys can go on a mission at eighteen if they have graduated from high school, and girls can leave at nineteen. I was completely shocked, and comforted when I heard the announcement. I realized immediately that with the age change far more girls would choose to serve missions, and consequently I found feel less like a lone wolf by choosing to serve. Many people have asked if I am upset that I had to wait until I was twenty-one to serve. However, I will be far more of an effective missionary at twenty-one than I would have been when I was nineteen. It would be nice, to already be home, but I wouldn’t have gone to Jerusalem, know nearly half of the great people I know now, I wouldn’t be as close to the Saviour, or as willing.

To be a drama queen for a paragraph everything involving my mission has been stressful, and difficult. (And I am hardly ever stressed. I once told my friend that I had never had a canker sore, and she said “you’ve also never been stressed, we aren’t all so blessed.”) Getting my papers completed took more time than I wanted, after my call was sent it took two weeks to arrive in the mail because it was (American) Thanksgiving (I live an hour away from where they assign calls), I hardly slept for that time, and had a serious OCD mailbox checking condition, when my call came there was a huge rip in the envelope, Skype didn’t work when it was time to open my call, trying to find cute sister missionary clothes sucks the suck. However, with everything going wrong I am only more determined to go on my mission. Obviously I am going to be some kind of wonderful if I am having so many troubles. (Please, just let my naïve dreams soar.)

This is what I looked like when I got my call. I'm really proactive about getting ready. 

I didn’t tell anyone besides my family, Julia, Letty, Ashley, and Sb that I was going on a mission. I can`t explain why but it was something that I needed to keep private. I was so weird about it too. After President Monson announced the age change lots of people all of sudden thought that it was completely appropriate to ask girls if they would go on a mission (but secretly they were asking if you are going to get married instead.)When people would ask if I was going on a mission now “that I could.” I would be a huge creep and say something like “You know you never know,” or “It’s hard to say.” What the what does that even mean?

There was a huge rip in the envelope. I could have easily peeked in. 

I received my call on November 28, 2012. Letty, and I went to check the mailbox together, and who knows why but I let Letty open the mailbox, and she snatched out my mission call. We screamed, screamed, and screamed some more. (I am just puzzled why our neighbors hate us.) It was the afternoon, and of course I was still in my night gown luckily I had to wait until 8ish that night so I had time to get glamorous. I called my parents, texted the few privileged people who got to know that I was going on a mission. I opened my call around eight that night at my Aunt Barb’s, and Uncle Ted’s house. My cousin Megan, her husband Bryce, and their two babies were there, my cousin Jenna, her husband Josh, and their son was there, Mattison was there, Ashley, Megan, Sb, Letty, and Madi came to support. I Skyped Whitney, and Alex, Julia, and then my parents, Greyson Robin, and her boytoy.

Ash, Mays, Sb, me, Letters, and Madi with my call. 

When I opened my call I felt so many emotions but mostly happy and nauseous. I prayed a lot before I received my call that when I read it I would know it was truly the Lord sending me to that mission, and that is where His people needed me. When I read “You have hereby called to serve in the Nevada Las Vegas mission” I felt a rush of confirmation run over me. I knew without a doubt that the Lord needed me there. I knew with such conviction that when some people play off that I’m just going to Vegas and not Kyrgyzstan, or Loas, I get super confused. “Umm how are you not feeling what I am feeling? What am I too cool for where Heavenly Father wants me to go? I don’t think so foo,” and then I probably do some z-snaps for extra emphasis at people trying to play off my “stateside” mission call.

I leave April 17, 2013. It is so soon. I feel scared, happy, nervous, excited, impatient, content and everything else all at once. It’ll be good for me. I can say without a doubt in my mind that this is the Lord’s plan for me, and I am extremely grateful for all the memories, people, and experiences I have had to make me ready to serve the Lord in this way. Give up the world for eighteen months? Yeah, I got this. 

Las Vegas or bust. 

Psalms 143:10

Upon graduating high school I was really tested to see if I was going to follow the Lord’s plan or my own plan. Being the angsty teen that I was I was always against BYU-Idaho, well all BYUs but especially Idaho. I would hear these horror stories about girls who moved there, got engaged their first semester, dropped out of school, and were now happily pregnant.  However, I applied anyways and turns out I was accepted to go to school in Edmonton, and Idaho. I realllyy wanted to go to Edmonton. It made more sense: don’t be lame, get a degree, go on a mission, move to Europe, and then at thirty get married. The problem was that whenever I looked at housing, classes, or even thought about Edmonton I felt terrible. On flip side whenever I looked at housing, classes, or even thought about Idaho I felt fine. It wasn’t as if Idaho was the clear winner for the place that I should go to school, the thought still made me a little nauseous, but after praying, and asking my parents for advice I knew Edmonton was wrong. (**Sidebar, my parents never offer advice, they are very “kids need to learn, decide, and live with the consequences of their actions.” In high school I told them I was going to drop out so I could move to Europe, and Father Wayne Smith just said “hmm, well go luck with that.”) So Idaho was the only option. The two things that got me through that decision was knowing that Julia would be in Idaho, and knowing that I could apply for a study abroad in Jerusalem.

Julia, and I really lived it up in Rexburg. 

I spent a year, and a half in Idaho in which time I really learned to love it. I loved how small the campus was, I felt like I knew most people, my dear cousin Avrey was close by, I loved that for the first time I actually had to try to make friends, and it wasn’t just “Okay, I went to kindergarten with you so we are friends, or in grade four you stole my pencil and I am still a little bitter so we aren’t friends” I loved that in general everyone was trying to be closer in the Saviour. (Turns out getting married is a side effect of that.)

The best thing about Idaho? Avrey had a sweet angel baby. 

I turned nineteen in Idaho, and again was reminded of the limited time I had before I would go on a mission. I remember the night before my birthday staying up late and thinking “woahhh nineteen eh? Well two years is still so far off. No worries, I’ve got time.”

After a year in Idaho I had my first chance to apply to the Jerusalem study abroad for fall 2011. I was waitlisted, before the group left I was number two on the waitlist. I was so close. The thought of another semester at BYU Idaho was killer, but I decided suffered through it because I knew after that semester I could go to Jerusalem. Turns out that semester was one of the best, I hung out with Avrey, and her family more, I made a lifelong friend in Gabi Phend, and I learned how to be content with my own company. That semester everywhere I went: church, firesides, classes, hanging out, I kept hearing “The better you know Christ, the better you know yourself.” Although I kept hearing this, I didn’t really understood what it meant.

Gabi Phend made my last semester in Idaho a dream. 

Winter Semester of 2012 I finally went to Jerusalem to study at the BYU Jerusalem Center. I don’t even know what to say about this experience. It was like every life lesson I had learned previously I leaned all over again, and with a greater conviction. I was happier, more confident, closer with Christ and more content than I have ever been. Yes, it was a short four months but when every day is focused on the Saviour, and friendship it’s easy to learn. I finally understood what I kept learning that the more I learned about Christ, the more I learned about myself. I turned twenty in February in Jerusalem and naively I thought “I will think more about a mission when I am home.” I told myself that I just needed to focus on being in Jerusalem, and that when I was home I could confront the reality of going on a mission.  

In Jerusalem often times I would be reading the scriptures, or singing hymns, and I would think “This makes me so genuinely happy, how could I not want to share this with people” or “How could I be so selfish, that although I know the gospel is what makes me the happiest, that I don’t share it.”

Pretending to be all cute reading the scriptures. It's no big thing.

April 14, 2012 was my last Sabbath in Jerusalem. In the evening we had a fireside called “Upper Room Evening in Auditorium.” Upper Room is where the scriptures say Christ’s last supper was. I remember thinking that it didn’t sound too exciting and that I just wanted to soak up my last few days with my friends, but like everything in Jerusalem I knew I would learn a great deal. A few of our teachers spoke, scriptures were read, and violins were played. After the program we had the chance to sit in the Auditorium that overlooks the skyline of Jerusalem for fifteen minutes or so in silence, in which time we could read, pray, and/or write. We just couldn’t talk. I prayed, and then wrote in my journal. It was then I got a strong confirmation of what I always knew, that I was truly supposed to serve a mission.

After the fireside I went outside with two of my closest friends in Jerusalem: Ashley, and Sb, just to talk and giggle. I knew that I actually had to say out loud that I was going to go on a mission to make it seem real to me. Trying to be so causal, even though I was shaking I said “Umm I need to tell you two something.” They replied sweetly “of course, you can tell us anything.” And for the first time I said out loud “I think I need to go on a mission.” They were both so happy for me, giddy even. I was still freaking out, but it was perfect that they were the first people that I told. I needed their sheer excitement to calm my nerves.

Ash, me, and Sb. True love in a photograph. 

I left Jerusalem on April 19, 2012. I was leaving with the conviction that I was going to serve a mission. Although I knew I was going to serve a mission all my life, it was now in the foreground. I learned a lot during this time in my life. I learned that sometimes you just have to act and if it’s wrong the Lord will tell you, and sometimes things are just neutral. I learned how to be patient with my life that not all will come at once. However, the biggest thing that I learned in this time is that everything in my life happened for a reason, everything has directed me on the course the Lord set out for my life.