May 27, 2013

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Wow... still no package?  That was a LOT of money... I don't know if it was book rate, it's possible.  I just told him I didn't want to upgrade because it was a lot more money.  So I dunno, but I'm going to be upset if you don't get it, because it was kinda a lot of money. Haha..  Anyway, nice to see you all haven't changed too much.  Haha, still a bunch of drama llamas. ;)  The baptism was AMAZING!  Everything went perfect!  So many people showed up to support him and he was the happiest.  He was even counting down to the date.  He kept texting us saying, "48 horas, 24 horas, 22 horas..."  Haha, and he got confirmed yesterday and is already getting the priesthood this Sunday.  And the other elders in the ward are chomping at the bit to take him out on lessons because he's the most legit.  I did take pictures, so don't fret!  However, I never got my memory card back from you guys, and if I send you the one I'm using now, I can't take any pictures!  I want to send them to you in an email, since I'm emailing here at the Hopkinson's today, but this computer is suuuuuper slow.  This week has also been a week of miracles because we found 9 new investigators, which is a pretty big number for us.  2 are families and we're are so excited about them!  It's bittersweet, however, because this transfer is almost over and there's a high chance one of us is leaving.  We really want one more transfer together because we think we can see more baptisms this upcoming transfer!  Things have been getting better with brother Potts as well.  The ward has been doing a 40 day fast - one person in the ward fasts each day, and the last day is June 29th, so Brother Potts has asked us to set everyone for baptisms on that day.  Haha.  We're going to do it! 

 

This week has been pretty silly, as well.  So you remember sister Anders?  Well, Hno. Potts gave us a referral a couple weeks back about a man named Victor, but Sister Anders called us and told us basically to stay away from him because Victor's one of her "people".  So we told Hno. Potts about it and he basically just said to ignore her and contact him.  We did, and he's super interested and super grateful to us.  (Also very hyper and eccentric, so we're not sure how mach of it he's retaining)  So for a while everything was fine, we were excited because he was so excited to see us, but eventually Sister Anders found out and called us none stop, leaving message after message and so right now she's still fellowshipping him and we keep in touch with her every now and then about how he's doing until someone else steps in and deals with it.  Hno. Potts said he'd deal with it, so we'll see.  We taught him the restoration with hermana Olave there.  The thing about sister Anders in lessons with him is that she says she's a Spanish sister, but the one time we visited him with her, she kept interrupting and telling us to speak English because she couldn't understand.  Anyway, so she invited us to her house this past friday because she was having Victor and the two people he lives with come over for a little party and "Mexican bingo" which we never played.  We went over for a little bit and it was a pretty...interesting experience.  I can not really express to you in words what went down, but I felt like I was at the circus.  It was real weird.  And Victor was like super dressy, wearing a super nice suit and aligator skin shoes and he walked us to and from our car and was super polite, if not a little awkward because we were alone outside with him for a bit... but it was one of the most bazar things I've ever witnessed.  

 

Just yesterday we had a TON of fun at the Hassan's house.  This is the couple I told you about - he's egyptian and Muslim and she's less active.  Well, she was at church and told us we could come over at 4 for dinner and so we did, and it was CRAZY.  She is seriously one of the craziest people I have ever met and has a lot of baggage, but I love her to death at the same time.  We took a ton of pictures and her husband sang some Egyptian rap for us.  I got it on video!  She gave us each a suit with the most intense shoulder pads I've ever seen in my life and somehow she thought we looked sexy.  Haha.  We took a whole bunch of crazy pictures and she coached us on how to carry ourselves and pose in picutres.  Trust me, you will get ALL of these pictures.  I'm going to try and actually send them in an email today.  I'm just going to write you a bunch of quotes from her that she said to me and sister Franco during our visit because it was the funnest time we've had in a long time... and she's seriously the most blunt person I've ever met, so get ready for some innapropriateness. 

 

Her catch phrase: "You look sexy!"

"When I saw you on Sunday I realized you both had big chests!"   

"Get your boobs up!" - as she's instructing us to pose for a pictures in our "sexy" suits. 

"God gave you what people pay millions of dollars for."

"Suck your stomach in" - in one picture she took with Sister Franco, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and forced her to suck it in and stick her chest out. 

"You might have problems later because your face is kind of round, no?"

"You have big hips"

"You look like you have a boob job."

"I was a dog in my past life.  I even have a bone to prove it.  Wanna see?" - haha, she tricked us here. 

"Show your boobs!"

About boobs - "it's not faith, it's a gift!" 

"You look good in those slimming skirts, I saw you wearing a big skirt last sunday and it made your hips look so big and I almost killed you."

 

It was really cool, though, because her husband came out and was having fun laughing with us, too.  Sister Franco smiles really big and sister Hassan kept telling her to smile smaller and we all took a picture with her husband and he turned around and saw Sister Franco smile really big and got super scared.  We were all dying of laughter and he was in tears.  Haha.  Before he never talked to us much, though.  He's real nice, but usually he just is out for a little bit and goes into his room.  He told us that we are like their kids and that we made his wife's day.  He even said he loved us when we left!  That's great because she has a really hard time going to church because of the people - she just does not like anyone there, and she wants to be a nicer person she says, but it's really hard for her because she's had some pretty messed up stuff happen to her.  But yeah.  The craziest people I've ever met - but we love them to pieces!  Oh, and she said she thinks God sent us to her.  :)   

Important information

This is the mom.  I feel the need to try to clarify some things.  Some of you think that Samantha is keeping this blog and that you can respond to her here.  This is a misconception.  She emails me(mom) every week and I copy that email to this blog so that anyone who wants to can read it.

If you would like to contact Samantha, you have 3 options.

1.  Write to her(or send her a package) at:  Hermana Samantha Smith

                                                                9270 S Maryland PKWY

                                                                Las Vegas, NV 89123

     This is her mission office address and you will be able to write to her here for her whole mission.  They deliver mail to the missionaries every Monday.  This is the slowest option but it will get to her and it is the only way to send packages.

2.  Go to http://www.dearelder.com/JustcallmeHermana and write a letter free of charge.  You do not have to fill in the address because it will automatically go to her mission office.  This is quicker than the first way because this letter will be sent from UT which is much closer to NV than we are.  (Unless, of course, you live out west.)

3.  Email her at ssmith@myldsmail.net.   She reads emails every Monday.

FYI, Sam is also not on Facebook, Tumbler, Myspace or anything else.  Her only computer access is for email.  You cannot contact her any other way on the computer.

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will get to it eventually.

I love you all and appreciate your support of Samantha.

  

May 20, 2013

In case anyone forgot...Sister Webb was one of Samantha's favorite roommates in the MTC....

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Wow, you don't know how happy it makes me to hear how well you all are doing!  It's only makes me want to work harder.  I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for you and I thank Him everyday for it.  In the letters you write me, DearElders, emails, I can see how you all have experienced miracles.  It reminds me of something president Eyring said this past conference about how when we go off to serve the Lord, He watches out and takes care of our families and sometimes the blessings we've earned go to our families.  So it brings me comfort to know that if I continue (and improve) on serving Him with all of my heart, might, mind and strength, I am not only receiving blessings, but my family is as well.  I'm so happy to hear that Dad has been feeling better about himself and going to this group.  When I first got his letter where he was telling me about it I cried a little bit.  In such a short amount of time, so many miracles have taken place. 

 

I know Heavenly Father is aware of each and every one of us.  I LOVE that chapter in 3rd Nephi.  I was just thinking of it this morning.  What a blessing it is to know that not only do we pray to our Heavenly Father and look to Him and Jesus Christ when we are having a hard time, but they pray for us as well and they rejoice when we rejoice and mourn when we mourn or choose not to obey.  In 1 john 4:19 it simply says something like, "we love Him because He first loved us."  Not sure if that's the exact wording, but I just find it so powerful.  In the same chapter it talks about how we can overcome Antichrists because we are of God (children of God) and what is inside of us, or our potential, is more powerful than what is in the world.  We literally are His children.  We each possess a spirit that once lived with Him.  We are all different and are given weaknesses that allow us the opportunity to draw closer to Him. 

 

I was studying the Atonement today during personal study.  I love in John where Christ says to His disciples that they will face tribulation in this world, but they should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world.  Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the world as well.  He was willing to suffer to so great an extent - so much more than anyone of us could ever imagine - so that we could have the opportunity to live with Him and our Heavenly Father again.  And he knows how we feel.  When he was in the garden of Gethsemane, and he took upon Him our sins, he did not just sink down to my level or your level.  He did not just experience pain on the level of sins I've committed or you've committed.  He sunk all the way down and felt the pain and guilt of even the vilest of sinners, the worst of the worst.  Things I couldn't even begin to imagine...  And so we are never alone.  We never have to feel like no one understands how we feel or what we're going through, because he's felt it all. :)  That's my little spiritual thought I guess.  

 

This week was a roller coaster, just like any other!  Our zone had interviews with President Neider and during interviews we all had to do role plays in front of sister Neider and the entire district.  Sister Franco and I thought we were going to throw up, we were so scared!  We had to role play the restoration (1st lesson) and interact with the entire district as if they were a big family we were teaching.  (It was in English, by the way) Afterwards we all got to talk one on one with Sister Neider as well and for some reason she was very impressed with me.  She's a freak when it comes to quotes and always has sticky notes on her, and she said she wrote down almost everything I said because I worded things in such a clear, beautiful way like she's never heard before.  Believe me, I'm not tooting my own horn because I really don't think I did a great job, this is just what she said to me.  Even while I was talking to her she was writing down things I was saying.  She told me I also have the rare gift of being able to smile while I talk and that she wishes she could pass that gift on to other missionaries.  She also told me something that must have been inspired because it was something I thought I struggled with.  She told me I have a powerful presence when I teach and know how to connect with people.  She was very impressed, and when I told her my main concern was Spanish she told me she doesn't know about Spanish, but that in English I have no problems.  It just brought me comfort because I've been feeling lately like I can't connect with the people because I can't speak the language very well.  Even though Sister Franco tells me I do more than I think.  But it's really more than the language.  That's not all I need to be able to connect with people.  If the spirit is there, testifying through me, then it won't matter what I say.  As long as I try my best.  That's why obedience is so important!  We can't teach without the spirit and the spirit won't be there if we're not obedient. 

 

Just this past Saturday we did our first exchange!  Sister Webb and I were In my area and Sister Franco went with Sister Nieto into their area.  Sister Franco was freaking out about who should go where, and originally I was going to be with sister Nieto (who speaks perfect Spanish) but she had a dream that night that I was with sister Webb in East and she was with Nieto in Central.  Now, sister Franco's not the type to declare she's had a grand vision, but she took this as her answer and so it was.  I was a little stressed because we're both new missionaries and Spanish is what I always complain about...also I've never had to lead the area before.  And we had a lesson set up with Tomas, and an appointment to teach the 1st lesson with a brand new family.  I was determined not to freak out, though, and I kept reminding myself of the promises found in the scriptures that the Lord will not let us be confounded before men and that He doesn't give commandments without preparing a way to make it possible.  As it turns out, the day was filled with miracles!  The 1st lesson went almost perfect and was probably the best 1st lesson Sister Webb and I have ever taught, I was able to say what I wanted and needed to say and even though I still couldn't understand everything, I understood what I needed to and we were able to answer any questions they had.  Also, that night we went to the Munoz house.  Jay Munoz is the one I told you came to church to watch us talk in sacrament and we were so excited.  Well, we ended up talking to him on the porch because he was home alone, but he told me that he's been keeping the Law of Chastity and plans on continuing to do so.  And he said he really wanted to go to church.  We ended up teaching him a brief restoration and were able to come up with inspired questions that let him open up more.  He shared with us an experience when he prayed to know if the church was true and he felt the spirit very strong.  It was super cool and the next day after work he came to a fireside and night church with us.  We were surprised how easy it was to get him to go.  He was just like, "ok, I'll follow you there."  He said he'll be coming to church in the morning next week and we're going to make sure we all match again so we can take a picture. 

 

Well, I love you all very much and I will see you soon! 

 

Ps - I have another exchange tomorrow, so keep me in your prayers!!!  Well, you should be doing that anyway. ;)                  

 

        

May 13, 2013

So...we skyped with Samantha for over an hour yesterday and today she didn't have anything left for an email.  She asked me to update everyone.

Sam looks great.  She is curling her hair and looks very girly.  She loves her companion.  She told us that things have changed a lot because of all the sisters in the field now.  Her companion, Hermana Franco is a training leader which is something like a non priesthood zone leader.  She coordinates exchanges and teaches at zone meetings.    Sisters did not do exchanges before because there were so few but now they do them just like the elders do.

Thomas is still scheduled for baptism.  They are still working with the Valdez family and another family, the Paz family.  Sister Paz operates an illegal dental clinic out of her house.  Sam says that she doesn't like the missionaries and they can't figure out why.  I suggested that she was probably afraid of getting deported if she got caught.  Sam said, "Quien sabe" (who knows?)  The Spanish is flowing.

Speaking of language, She and her companion both gave talks in church yesterday.  She says that it flowed out of her and she felt the gift of tongues doing its thing.  She spoke for 6 minutes in Spanish and people were surprised that she couldn't speak a word of it 3 months ago.  She asked me to share that.  She was really stoked about it.

They have 2 other investigators, both named Victor.  You might remember the "espionage missionary", Sister Anders, they met last month from one of the English language wards.  She had a list of people that she was prepping for the missionaries to teach but didn't want them to talk to anyone on her list until she was sure they were ready.  Well, another sister gave them a referral(one of the Victors) that happened to be on the list.  They didn't want to upset Sister Anders so they asked the ward mission leader about it.  he told them that sister Anders was a bit crazy and they should not worry about it.  So, they contacted victor, he was very receptive and now they are teaching him and awaiting an irate phone call from sister Anders.

Anyway, as I said, she is very happy and thriving out there.  She looked great and it made us feel good to see how well she was.  Also, Hope got permission to wear Sam's clothes while she is gone.  (;

May 6, 2013

(Our emails crossed in the wind.  I did write to her.)

Wow, you haven't written anything to me... :(  Well, I'm not going to write a whole lot because mother's day is Sunday and I can tell you more then, so here goes...

 

 Sister Franco and I fasted yesterday to start the purification challenge!  We wrote out goals and things that we want to stop doing and/or thinking about, and then fasted and prayed to Heavenly Father to help us with our goals.  As a result, yesterday we saw so many miracles!  I truly think The Lord blessed us because of our desire and commitment to better serve Him.  As soon as we walked out of the house to go to church, we came across this man and we talked to him and I did the blessing contact! (where we set up a time to come by the homes of others and leave a blessing of peace and comfort) and right after that, these two young men walked by and called US over.  The one was actually a member and was asking about singles wards in the area.  The other wasn't a member and we got his information and will be trying to set up a lesson with him in the future.  You have to understand that we almost NEVER see anyone right outside our front door.  And it was like, BAM! BAM! one right after the other and they both seemed interested!

 

Moving along.. after church, Hermana Valadez told us that she is so grateful for my companion and I and that we have helped her and her family so much... and before I go on, let me give you a little background... so, we went the their house on Friday and Hermano Valadez's mother was there.  She's trying to learn English and has been attending the English classes that we've started doing at the chapel.  She's interested in reading the Book of Mormon and we talked to her a little about the promise that was made that if we read the entire Book of Mormon in our desired language, we will learn it.  It was pretty cool, and Hermano Valadez, who says he doesn't have a testimony (eye roll), bore a really powerful one to his mother.  Anyway, afterwards, one of their daughters, Mitzi, started crying and we didn't know why.  So we went and talked to her and she started talking about all of these problems that she has, particularly with a boy at school who won't leave her alone, even though she tries to stay away from him.  Apparently all of her teachers and counselors at school don't believe her when she says she's trying to keep away from him and her parents blame her and her grades have started going down.  The last time we talked with her and her sister, Hillary, she really felt the spirit and has been praying multiple times a day and reads her scriptures daily as well.  She expressed to us that even though she's putting in her effort, she feels like Heavenly Father isn't answering her prayers and that she can't handle things when no one believes her and her relationship with her family isn't the best.  Her mother and her bump heads a lot and while she understands that her dad works so much to take care of them, she doesn't feel like she's very close with him because when he comes home, he's always in a bad mood and yells.  We shared some thoughts and prayed with her.  And so the next day at church, Hermana Valadez also thanked us for talking with Mitzi.  Mitzi also thanked us again and said that she was afraid her parents would yell at her after we left Friday night, but instead they were super nice to her and Saturday they all spent the whole day together as a family.  Mitzi told us that her parents were different on Saturday and she feels like God is now answering her prayers.  

 

My heart goes out to the Valadez family.  They are so precious and I love them so much.  Since we've moved into the ward, they have attended church every week.  Sister Franco and I have never seen them miss a Sunday, but others in the ward tell us this is a big change for them.  I guess as missionaries we don't always realize how much of an impact we make in others lives. 

 

In some ways they remind me of my own family.  When she was talking about the drama she has with her mother, I was reminded of the many times you and I bumped heads, and even said very hurtful things to one another.  I know that I've said things to you that I regret and wish I had never said.  You've said things that have hurt me as well, but know that I love you more than words can say, and I know it's the same with Mitzi and her mom.  Also, I can see a little bit of my own dad in Hermano Valadez.  He tries so hard, I know he does.  And he has a testimony, but he feels the stress of work, work, work and it gets to him.  But he loves his family SO much and he never wants to lose them.  He wants to be worthy to enter the temple.  The whole family is so strong and so willing to make changes in their lives. 

 

So Sunday night we also went to night church with Thomas.  Earlier this past week we had a pretty powerful lesson about el dia de reposo.  He cried towards the end and says he really wants to live it and he knows the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy, but he needs the extra money to send to his kids in Mexico.  We committed him to pray about it and throughout the week sent him little scriptures and texts of encouragement.  And so last night at night church he told us that he almost didn't come because he felt really sick, but right before he was going to call us, he suddenly felt perfect.  He said he had been praying a lot and we've been praying a lot for him, and apparently his boss called him up randomly and told him that his schedule had been permanently changed and now he has Sunday mornings off every week!  (He still has to work at night, but we're going one step at a time.)  He does understand to importance of this commandment.  And then later that night we met another really cool man on the street who was super, super nice and seemed real interested, but real busy as well.  Haha.  We did the blessing contact, gave him a restoration pamphlet, and a Finding Faith in Christ DVD.  He even told us a pretty cool fact: Every Mexican man named Jesus has the nickname "Chewy" and so since Hermano Valadez's first name is Jesus, we're going to ask him if people call him Chewy when we do our little FHE with them tonight. 

 

Anyway, love you so much!  Hope you're doing well!  And a member is letting us use her computer to Skype on Sunday, but church doesn't get out until 2, so... I don't know if dad will be there. :(  If not, I can Skype and then call him.  I'm not sure yet, though...