Saturday, August 31, 2019
Another Instagram find
“Mission Leadership Council” yesterday with our Sister Training Leader’s and Zone Leader’s. The second one makes me laugh.
Week 48 - Transfers
This week has been a blast!! I can't remember much about last Monday or Tuesday, but on Wednesday we had transfers. After talking with all the other missionaries, Elder Borsky and I started the 2 hour drive up to PA. It's so beautiful up here. On one side we have these tall mountains that slope down into the city, and then goes right into the ocean where you can see Victoria island (Canada) on the other side. After we got back, we just did some knocking and tried to visit some people. On Thursday we had weekly planning and did some service for some members, then we had to go to Dungeness to pick up the Forks elders since they had to stay in Tacoma for some training. We also had a lesson with Jenifer that night. She's on date for baptism on September 7th, so we talked to her about different struggles she's been having.
Then on Friday we went to Forks to interview one of their investigators, but it didn't happen since the investigator forgot about it and went camping. But we still had a great time and helped them out with talking to some Spanish folk. On Saturday we had a few more lessons. We met with Jenifer again to teach her the commandments. Then we taught Alena the plan of salvation. She's been progressing steadily, and she said her first prayer out loud with us. Other than that, we've talked with a few other people. This area is super nice. There's a lot of elderly folk up here, but we're able to have lessons with them and they let us talk with them. Anyways, that's all for this week. Love you!!
-Elder Jared Smith
My new address:
808 S Chase #E
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Then on Friday we went to Forks to interview one of their investigators, but it didn't happen since the investigator forgot about it and went camping. But we still had a great time and helped them out with talking to some Spanish folk. On Saturday we had a few more lessons. We met with Jenifer again to teach her the commandments. Then we taught Alena the plan of salvation. She's been progressing steadily, and she said her first prayer out loud with us. Other than that, we've talked with a few other people. This area is super nice. There's a lot of elderly folk up here, but we're able to have lessons with them and they let us talk with them. Anyways, that's all for this week. Love you!!
-Elder Jared Smith
My new address:
808 S Chase #E
Port Angeles, WA 98362
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| A funny sign we saw in a private neighborhood. |
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| My last night in Tacoma with Elder Clay, someone gave us sunflowers |
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| Peppers that I harvested from my pepper plant |
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| Caterpillar we found |
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| Elder Borsky and I |
Monday, August 19, 2019
Week 47 - Baptisms and ZL
So this week has been super super long and full of emotions. Starting on Monday night, we had another appointment with the Mendoza-Cortes family. Our plan was to figure out what their concerns were and solidify the date for their baptism. We went over there with our ward mission leader to help us figure things out. We found that the parents really just wanted to strengthen their relationship with each other before they get married and baptized. We had the family kneel down with us and have one of their kids offer their first prayer out loud, and by the end of it they were all crying. The parents said that if the kids wanted to then they could be baptized this weekend. So this week we worked to try and find a time that worked for them and that fit around all the other things that were happening at the church building. It got moved around a lot, but thanks to the Lord, we were able to find a specific time, get the baptismal suits, and put together a program all last minute basically. Elder Clay and I were getting so stressed out with all of it since things weren't working super well. However, it happened. We got the kids baptized at 8 in the morning before the first ward started. And then they came to church later that day we were able to confirm them. It was an amazing day.
This Saturday we got our transfer calls, and it was completely different than what we expected would happened. We figured that Elder Clay would leave since he's been in the Buena Vista ward longer and that I would stay and train. However, Elder Clay is staying to train, and I'm going to Port Angeles to be with Elder Borsky again! But I'm also going to be a Zone Leader now. I haven't even been a district leader, and I'm way nervous. (Jared told me his hands shook for 20 minutes after receiving the phone call). It certainly reminds me of how a mission is not a comfortable thing, and that the Lord expects us to continue to grow and improve.
This week I've been studying the scripture 3 Nephi 9:22, "Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved." I found this scripture as I was reading President Nelson's talk in the last priesthood session of general conference. It struck me as how this is what we, as missionaries, are trying to teach people. President Nelson commented how the Lord throughout the scriptures and to Joseph Smith says teach nothing but repentance. I've always thought that repentance was what we do when we sin, but it's really the way we can take advantage of the Atonement and improve ourselves in all aspects.
Love you!!
-Elder Jared Smith
Pictures:
1-2. Elder Clay and I with the Mendoza-Cortes family.
This Saturday we got our transfer calls, and it was completely different than what we expected would happened. We figured that Elder Clay would leave since he's been in the Buena Vista ward longer and that I would stay and train. However, Elder Clay is staying to train, and I'm going to Port Angeles to be with Elder Borsky again! But I'm also going to be a Zone Leader now. I haven't even been a district leader, and I'm way nervous. (Jared told me his hands shook for 20 minutes after receiving the phone call). It certainly reminds me of how a mission is not a comfortable thing, and that the Lord expects us to continue to grow and improve.
This week I've been studying the scripture 3 Nephi 9:22, "Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved." I found this scripture as I was reading President Nelson's talk in the last priesthood session of general conference. It struck me as how this is what we, as missionaries, are trying to teach people. President Nelson commented how the Lord throughout the scriptures and to Joseph Smith says teach nothing but repentance. I've always thought that repentance was what we do when we sin, but it's really the way we can take advantage of the Atonement and improve ourselves in all aspects.
Love you!!
-Elder Jared Smith
Pictures:
1-2. Elder Clay and I with the Mendoza-Cortes family.
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| Elder Clay and I with the Mendoza-Cortes family |
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| Elder Clay and I with the Hermanas |
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Week 46 - Tender Mercies Galore
This week has been pretty fantastic. A lot happened including Elder Bradley going home and another 9-9.
Starting with last Monday, we met with the Mendoza-Cortez family again and resolved a few concerns with them about being able to follow all the commandments that God has given us. Later this week, they expressed a concern that they don't feel like they know enough about the church to get baptized this Saturday. So we'll be going by tonight to figure it out with them. So pray for them that they'll have the faith to move forward towards baptism.
On Tuesday, Elder Bradley had to pack so we stayed inside for most of the day. I had previously made a list of everyone in our area book that had a phone number, and so we called all of them that day. We made about 73 calls, and it was surprisingly successful. We were able to get some return appointments, and others said that we could come back as well. That night we were able to contact a less active member who has some kids that they want us to teach and baptize.
Wednesday was pretty normal. We had breakfast with members, district council, and tried contacting a few people. We had to go inside early that night though so Elder Bradley could finish packing.
Thursday morning we got up early to drop off Elder Bradley at the office. We said our goodbyes to him there and then went about our day. That was when we started seeing a lot of tender mercies. Before, other missionaries were referring people to the Hermanas to help build up their teaching pool, but starting Thursday we started to get a whole bunch. It made us so busy, but it was a good kind of busy. We were also able to get in contact with Gloriana again. She told us that she is in school for the military right now, so she won't be able to meet with us until the end of the month.
On Friday we had another 9-9, but Elder Clay and I had to leave to give someone a blessing. A member told us that this lady wanted one, and so we went by and gave her one, and she said that we could come back and teach her the missionary lessons, so that was awesome.
Saturday was a very busy day. We were driving all over Tacoma contacting the referrals that we got and we finally got in to teach someone that night. He's an older man in his 80's it seems, and he used to be taught by the missionaries in the past. He told us that he knew that the Book of Mormon was true, but he feels like it's a sin to be baptized again. The next time we go by we'll address that concern with Acts 19:2-5 which shows that there are times when people needed to be baptized again so it could be done the proper way.
On Sunday we got to teach Jose and Alfredo again that night. They're friends who are rooming together, and they only have bikes, so they can't come to church. But they said they want to come to church sometime, and take the English Connect class that's starting soon.
This week I've been focusing on a specific scripture. It's Mosiah 2:22, "And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." I think the thing that this scripture has really impressed upon me is how simple the gospel is. All it takes is to humble ourselves and follow Him, and He will bless us. It's as simple as that. Everything that God has He has promised to us if we simply do this. I decided to start studying a scripture each week from a general conference talk by Elder Durrant that talks about ponderizing a scripture. It's a good talk that I would recommend reading.
Well that's everything for this week. Love you all!!
-Elder Jared Smith
Starting with last Monday, we met with the Mendoza-Cortez family again and resolved a few concerns with them about being able to follow all the commandments that God has given us. Later this week, they expressed a concern that they don't feel like they know enough about the church to get baptized this Saturday. So we'll be going by tonight to figure it out with them. So pray for them that they'll have the faith to move forward towards baptism.
On Tuesday, Elder Bradley had to pack so we stayed inside for most of the day. I had previously made a list of everyone in our area book that had a phone number, and so we called all of them that day. We made about 73 calls, and it was surprisingly successful. We were able to get some return appointments, and others said that we could come back as well. That night we were able to contact a less active member who has some kids that they want us to teach and baptize.
Wednesday was pretty normal. We had breakfast with members, district council, and tried contacting a few people. We had to go inside early that night though so Elder Bradley could finish packing.
Thursday morning we got up early to drop off Elder Bradley at the office. We said our goodbyes to him there and then went about our day. That was when we started seeing a lot of tender mercies. Before, other missionaries were referring people to the Hermanas to help build up their teaching pool, but starting Thursday we started to get a whole bunch. It made us so busy, but it was a good kind of busy. We were also able to get in contact with Gloriana again. She told us that she is in school for the military right now, so she won't be able to meet with us until the end of the month.
On Friday we had another 9-9, but Elder Clay and I had to leave to give someone a blessing. A member told us that this lady wanted one, and so we went by and gave her one, and she said that we could come back and teach her the missionary lessons, so that was awesome.
Saturday was a very busy day. We were driving all over Tacoma contacting the referrals that we got and we finally got in to teach someone that night. He's an older man in his 80's it seems, and he used to be taught by the missionaries in the past. He told us that he knew that the Book of Mormon was true, but he feels like it's a sin to be baptized again. The next time we go by we'll address that concern with Acts 19:2-5 which shows that there are times when people needed to be baptized again so it could be done the proper way.
On Sunday we got to teach Jose and Alfredo again that night. They're friends who are rooming together, and they only have bikes, so they can't come to church. But they said they want to come to church sometime, and take the English Connect class that's starting soon.
This week I've been focusing on a specific scripture. It's Mosiah 2:22, "And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." I think the thing that this scripture has really impressed upon me is how simple the gospel is. All it takes is to humble ourselves and follow Him, and He will bless us. It's as simple as that. Everything that God has He has promised to us if we simply do this. I decided to start studying a scripture each week from a general conference talk by Elder Durrant that talks about ponderizing a scripture. It's a good talk that I would recommend reading.
Well that's everything for this week. Love you all!!
-Elder Jared Smith
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| The zone mourning the death of Elder Bradley. |
Monday, August 5, 2019
Week 45 - Just doing the Lord's work
This week was pretty good. Not a whole lot happened, but there were a few good things in there that made it go by pretty fast.
On Tuesday we had Park Day, so we couldn't go anywhere, but a member asked us to help him get rid of some things since he was moving, so that took up the afternoon. It took so long because we tried to donate what we could at several different places before taking it to the dump, however nobody wanted any of it, so we ended up tossing a dining table with 5-6 chairs, an upright piano, and a couch. It was also pretty interesting trying to move all of it since he just had his pickup truck, so we had to take 3 different trips to try to haul all that plus a bed, a bookshelf, and a washing and drying machine. It was pretty sketchy looking. I was terrified the entire time that everything was going to fall out onto the road, but Heavenly Father was looking out for us so we did what we needed to do without anything bad happening.
On Saturday morning we did some more service for another member. He needed his bushes to be trimmed up and his roof cleaned off, so while other members were power washing all the moss off his roof, I got to trim his bushes like I used to do for a member back home. It was nice to feel like I was doing something normal in normal clothes on a Saturday morning.
We also were able to find a few more people. We were trying to find a referral that someone gave us, but at the address we were given, the person didn't live there. However, the two guys who lived there were actually interested. They're both in their twenties, but neither of them can read super well, so we read out of the Book of Mormon with them and they accepted our invitation to get them a ride to church this next Sunday since they only have bikes. Also there's an English class that the church is going to start in a week or two, and they said that they wanted to do that as well. They both seem pretty solid, so we're excited to see where this goes.
Also we met with Mario and Cynthia Ojeda again this week. We've met with them before, but we gave them to the Hermanas so they could have someone to work with. However they gave them back since they could never find them and the people at the address we gave them said they didn't live there. So now we have them back! Yay!! We met with them last night, and while Mario was talking with us, his wife was reading the entire restoration pamphlet we gave them previously. Cynthia is pretty quite, but she seems to be a lot more interested. The funny thing was that even when we finished talking with them and answering their questions, she continued to read the pamphlet while we were saying the prayer. It was awesome to see how invested she seems to be in this.
I think that sums up everything for this week though. Elder Bradley is going home this Thursday, so I'm only going to have one companion for the first time on my mission. It's weird to think about. Anyways, I hope you all have a great week. Love you!!
-Elder Smith
On Tuesday we had Park Day, so we couldn't go anywhere, but a member asked us to help him get rid of some things since he was moving, so that took up the afternoon. It took so long because we tried to donate what we could at several different places before taking it to the dump, however nobody wanted any of it, so we ended up tossing a dining table with 5-6 chairs, an upright piano, and a couch. It was also pretty interesting trying to move all of it since he just had his pickup truck, so we had to take 3 different trips to try to haul all that plus a bed, a bookshelf, and a washing and drying machine. It was pretty sketchy looking. I was terrified the entire time that everything was going to fall out onto the road, but Heavenly Father was looking out for us so we did what we needed to do without anything bad happening.
On Saturday morning we did some more service for another member. He needed his bushes to be trimmed up and his roof cleaned off, so while other members were power washing all the moss off his roof, I got to trim his bushes like I used to do for a member back home. It was nice to feel like I was doing something normal in normal clothes on a Saturday morning.
We also were able to find a few more people. We were trying to find a referral that someone gave us, but at the address we were given, the person didn't live there. However, the two guys who lived there were actually interested. They're both in their twenties, but neither of them can read super well, so we read out of the Book of Mormon with them and they accepted our invitation to get them a ride to church this next Sunday since they only have bikes. Also there's an English class that the church is going to start in a week or two, and they said that they wanted to do that as well. They both seem pretty solid, so we're excited to see where this goes.
Also we met with Mario and Cynthia Ojeda again this week. We've met with them before, but we gave them to the Hermanas so they could have someone to work with. However they gave them back since they could never find them and the people at the address we gave them said they didn't live there. So now we have them back! Yay!! We met with them last night, and while Mario was talking with us, his wife was reading the entire restoration pamphlet we gave them previously. Cynthia is pretty quite, but she seems to be a lot more interested. The funny thing was that even when we finished talking with them and answering their questions, she continued to read the pamphlet while we were saying the prayer. It was awesome to see how invested she seems to be in this.
I think that sums up everything for this week though. Elder Bradley is going home this Thursday, so I'm only going to have one companion for the first time on my mission. It's weird to think about. Anyways, I hope you all have a great week. Love you!!
-Elder Smith
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| We found some suspicious plants while knocking |
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| My peppers have already gotten so big in just one week. |
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Week 44 - This week was fun
This has got to be one of my busiest weeks on my mission so far. Soooo many things happened this week.
On Monday, we had members feed us and the Hermanas some enchiladas that were super good. Tuesday was Elder Bradley's birthday, but he didn't make a big deal out of it. However, we were meeting some eternigators (they're basically members at this point) that night with the Hermanas, and they fed us posole which is a Mexican celebration soup thing. Elder Bradley was super happy, and he thought someone must of told them that it was his birthday since the chances of them making posole was fairly low. Wednesday we had weekly planning during the day, and there was a stake pioneer activity that night. The Cortes family that we've been teaching actually came to that and were hanging out with the members. It was perfect. Things just seemed to be falling into place with them. On Thursday we had Zone Conference which was pretty great. The craziest day was probably Friday though.
Starting Thursday night we had exchanges with our District Leader, Elder Truman. So Elder Bradley went to Wapato with Elder Coon while Elder Truman was with Elder Clay and I in Spanish. The day started out normal with studies, and then we did service with the zone like we usually do every Friday. Afterwards, Elder Truman had to do a baptismal interview for the Chambers Creek/Cambodian Sisters. So we went and did that which was pretty interesting since the sisters were translating for us. Later that day we were up in northern Tacoma and got lost in all the crazy streets and construction. Graham Spanish (Elder Williams and Elder Atkinson) also came up that day for a doctor's appointment, so we split knocked with them.
After 5-7's we get a text from the Hermanas about how they needed us ASAP. They were meeting one of their investigators for the second time and found out that their mom was pretty sick and was deteriorating rapidly. They offered for us to give their mom a blessing in the hospital which she immediately accepted. However the mother lived up in Gig Harbor which is over the Narrows Bridge. So the Hermanas got permission from President Leishman for all six of us to go up and give the mother a blessing. When we got there, the family was already there, and from what we could tell, there were some Catholic priests giving the mom her last rites. After this we gave a blessing of comfort to her since she was going to pass away soon, and then we left. It was a crazy night. Especially since it was all in Spanish and I could only understand half of what was happening.
Saturday we had interviews with President Leishman. He told me that this next transfer we would be getting two more Hermanas and two Spanish Elders as well. And it seemed to me that he was implying that I might train one of the Spanish Elders, so I'm kind of nervous about that but I guess we'll see what actually happens in a couple of weeks.
On Sunday morning we had another lesson with the Cortes family where we put all five of them on date for baptism for the 17th of August. It was a super great lesson. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and went over all the baptismal interview questions with them and they answered them perfectly. Their only hold up is that they feel like they need to know more before being baptized. We told them how we got baptized when we were 8 years old and we didn't know everything, but that baptism is the beginning of the path, not the end. From then on we start to learn more and more with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
So I think that covers everything for the week. There was a lot. Love you all!!
-Elder Smith
On Monday, we had members feed us and the Hermanas some enchiladas that were super good. Tuesday was Elder Bradley's birthday, but he didn't make a big deal out of it. However, we were meeting some eternigators (they're basically members at this point) that night with the Hermanas, and they fed us posole which is a Mexican celebration soup thing. Elder Bradley was super happy, and he thought someone must of told them that it was his birthday since the chances of them making posole was fairly low. Wednesday we had weekly planning during the day, and there was a stake pioneer activity that night. The Cortes family that we've been teaching actually came to that and were hanging out with the members. It was perfect. Things just seemed to be falling into place with them. On Thursday we had Zone Conference which was pretty great. The craziest day was probably Friday though.
Starting Thursday night we had exchanges with our District Leader, Elder Truman. So Elder Bradley went to Wapato with Elder Coon while Elder Truman was with Elder Clay and I in Spanish. The day started out normal with studies, and then we did service with the zone like we usually do every Friday. Afterwards, Elder Truman had to do a baptismal interview for the Chambers Creek/Cambodian Sisters. So we went and did that which was pretty interesting since the sisters were translating for us. Later that day we were up in northern Tacoma and got lost in all the crazy streets and construction. Graham Spanish (Elder Williams and Elder Atkinson) also came up that day for a doctor's appointment, so we split knocked with them.
After 5-7's we get a text from the Hermanas about how they needed us ASAP. They were meeting one of their investigators for the second time and found out that their mom was pretty sick and was deteriorating rapidly. They offered for us to give their mom a blessing in the hospital which she immediately accepted. However the mother lived up in Gig Harbor which is over the Narrows Bridge. So the Hermanas got permission from President Leishman for all six of us to go up and give the mother a blessing. When we got there, the family was already there, and from what we could tell, there were some Catholic priests giving the mom her last rites. After this we gave a blessing of comfort to her since she was going to pass away soon, and then we left. It was a crazy night. Especially since it was all in Spanish and I could only understand half of what was happening.
Saturday we had interviews with President Leishman. He told me that this next transfer we would be getting two more Hermanas and two Spanish Elders as well. And it seemed to me that he was implying that I might train one of the Spanish Elders, so I'm kind of nervous about that but I guess we'll see what actually happens in a couple of weeks.
On Sunday morning we had another lesson with the Cortes family where we put all five of them on date for baptism for the 17th of August. It was a super great lesson. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and went over all the baptismal interview questions with them and they answered them perfectly. Their only hold up is that they feel like they need to know more before being baptized. We told them how we got baptized when we were 8 years old and we didn't know everything, but that baptism is the beginning of the path, not the end. From then on we start to learn more and more with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
So I think that covers everything for the week. There was a lot. Love you all!!
-Elder Smith
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| Our at home garden of raspberries and peppers. |
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| We ripped out a bunch of blackberry bushes for some lady during 5-7's |
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| Going up to Gig Harbor |
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| Exchanges with Elder Truman |
Awesome license plate I found.
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