November 12, 2018

Week 44: Recuerda que soy Chino

How is everyone!!!!! Guys so much happens in Mexico every day. Its hard to remember everything! To start, someone stole my bike again. We went to a Stake Conference and I left the bike IN the Chapel next to my companions bike. The funny thing was when we left the conference his bike was there but mine wasnt jajajjaja. Oh well.... We had another pretty funny experience with a lesson we were teaching. We were teaching the Plan of Salvation to some kids with these paper dolls my mom used in her mission (thanks mom I use them all the time) and in the set, there are all the pieces of the Plan of Salvation. There are even 2 bodies to use to represent a man and woman. It was really funny becuase we were playing a game with them and they had to figure out where every piece went. The little girl put the two people in the wrong spot and her sister yelled (it was a pretty competitive plan of salvation game) HEY QUE HACES CON LOS CUERPOS (HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE BODIES). It was so funny because we all understood, but the door was open and I think that everyone in the neighborhood thought we were crazy when she shouted WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE BODIES (Whats going on in that house kind of thing) hahaha.

Also, another funny story.... We went to celebrate the birthday of one of our missionaries named Elder Rufino. We were sitting outside of an OXXO (like a Circle K) and this drunk came up to us and started talking to us. He said a bunch of things and at the end he said GUYSS I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.............(almost falls over)........Remember that I am Chinese AND THEN HE LEFT HAHAHAHHAHAHA. We have some great people we are teaching. Santiago is going to be baptized this Friday!!!!! He is 9 and he knows a TON. We found a family of three that are great. They names are Victor, Vianca, and Adrian. They will probably be baptized too! Also we have Juan Carlos that always READS his Book of Mormon. This area has a lot of potencial. I am always thankful for every person that enters the waters of baptism. Also, Edendira (our convert) went to the TEMPLE. So cool. Lot of good things are happening here. I love you all a ton thanks for all your support and prayers!

Giddy up

Elder Smith

November 5, 2018

Week 43: Rivvverraaa GAAaaaSSSs RRIiiiVVErrrraAA GGGAAaaasss

GUYS SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED THIS WEEK. I have so much to tell you. I forgot to tell you all that 2 weeks ago they stole our bikes. No joke. We have our house and then our outside patio with a giant gate and lock. It was 10 in the morning when it happened. They were outside in that area but everything was safe and locked so we thought everything was alright. In the morning all of this sudden we heard KUNG BOOOM. When we ran outside, they were out of sight. They CUT THE CHAIN THAT WAS OUTSIDE AROUND THE GATE. UGHHHHH. So we had to buy bikes again but its ok because the bike I have now is perrona(awesome).

Another experience happened with my convert Edendira. She is a young girl that is literally so rad. We arrived to her house to take her to church to get confirmed because she couldn't go to church last Sunday. That means if she didn't go to church this Sunday she would have not gone for 2 Sundays after being baptized. We arrived at her house and assumed she was already awake. We got to the house and talked to her Aunt that we there and I asked if Edendira was awake. She told me that she WAS ASLEEP NOOOOOOO. It was 8 45 and we were far from the church and we start at 9! I was like EDENDIRA GET READY WE WILL WAIT OUTSIDE AND ILL CALL A TAXI STEP ON IT! We were moving it to get to church LIKE HAULING. Edendira was able to be confirmed. I was so happy for her receive that ordinance. Ill never forget what she told me. I asked her how she felt after being confirmed and she told me she felt so happy and felt something incredible. That was response was worth all the effort. Something so little made it all worth it. It reminded me of a scripture in 2 Timothy 2 verse 10 which says Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. All that I do in missionary work is by love for the chosen by God so that they can receive saving ordinances and receive the love of our Savior. At the end of the day, the little things that are bugging to me most of the time don't matter. I do it out of love. I have really seen a change in her. The gospel changes lives.

The last thing I wanted to share was an experience that we had with a little kid named Santiago. We were sharing the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ with him and I was quoting the first vision of Joseph Smith. When I was saying it, the spirit flooded over us and Santiago seemed to feel it. I could tell that his eyes were getting red and wet. After he began to cry. Shocked we asked how he felt. He told us that he felt Gods love in his heart. He is going to be baptized on the 17th. He felt the truthfulness of the message that we shared. I thought that I had seen something incredible. It is the evidence that every single human being has the right to know. I left in amazement that even a 9 year old kid could receive such a strong impression from our Heavenly Father.

But after, I understood. Everything started with a 14 year old boy that wanted to know too. Thanks to our Heavenly Father that chose that boy, the truth was restored. The only TRUE happiness that we enjoy. Every blessing that we have recieved. It really strikes me that is all started with the trust that God had in a boy that was simple and humble. God choses the meek and humble to do His work. I find that refreshing and amazing knowing that I am imperfect and weak but he will use me in my weaknesses. I am thankful that he gave that spirit in that moment to say the very special words of Joseph Smith. God trusts in the simple and humble and I want to let you all know that. I want to finish with one of my favorite chapters of the 1 Corinthians 2 verses 3,4, and 5.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I love you all

Giddy Up

Elder Smith

October 29, 2018

Week 42: Otra Semana de cambios

Hey guys! My email isn't going to be very long but I wanted to comment on some things that have happened. I am going to recieve a new companion because we now have transfers again. His name is Elder Castañeda and he is one of my best friends. He is a killer missionary and I am super excited about this transfer. We are going to baptize so many because we have a ton of potential in this area that I am in. We had a baptism this last week. It was super cool because it was a girl that is 15 named Edendira. She is pretty cool. I always love to see people arrive to the first step in salvation which is baptism. I have had some pretty amazing experiences when we are knocking doors. I feel like we have been guided by the spirit in this work. I felt like we needed to knock on one door but no one came out. A neighbor came out and asked us if we wanted water. Without thinking I blurted out YES knowing it was an opportunity to talk with him. He was very awesome and days before my companion felt like we need to knock on another door. We found out that the door that my companion knocked on was his wifes house and then we found him. I know the Lord has something prepared for that man and he needs to hear our message. Other than that, It was a pretty normal week. I would love the prayers and I love you all!

Giddy up!

Elder Smith

1-2. El bautismo de Edendira. Un dia espcial para ella.