Sorry this is so mushy. I considered not posting it at all but its all she sent and it is an example of the blessings that come from sending a missionary out so here it is:
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Oops, sorry I forgot to mention how my 4th went. We did some proselyting in the day and went to Popeye's for dinner because we didn't have one with a member that night. It was cool because we started a conversation with an employee there who was on break. She was super nice and seemed pretty interested in hearing more about the gospel. That night we watched fireworks on the hill by where we live, right next to CVS. Apparently we have the best view in the valley, so everyone and their mom was there! We parked in front of our house and walked to the hill. It was funny though because where we live, it's gated and so we couldn't get through the gate just by walking through. So we slid underneath and I got black all over the front of the white shirt I was wearing. Haha. It's all good, though, washing machines are a blessing. It was super pretty. We could see all the fireworks from the Strip, all over the Valley and Henderson. I tried to take pictures, but it didn't turn out nearly as beautiful as it was in person.
I'm so happy to hear you are all doing well. I really feel like a lot of the blessings I've received since I've been out here have been through you - my family. Heavenly Father is blessing all aspects of my life and the lives of those who are the most important to me. Even my companion. I've been praying for her a lot over the past few days to find comfort and know that she's never going to be alone, even when she goes home and it might be difficult to always maintain that example that her family needs her to be. She just got a really amazing email from her mom and I just feel so happy for her.
I'm so proud of all the progress dad has been making. Before my mission, I could never see him reaching out so much for that kind of help. And how loving and supportive those other brothers in the group are! It really touched my heart when I heard that that man would go straight over there right after work just to see if dad was okay. And he stayed there for a while. He could have gone right home to his family and gone to bed or whatever, but he reached out to dad instead. He needs that. Heavenly Father is really looking out for you all. I thank Him every day for it. I want you to know, mother, how strong YOU are. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I feel sorry for so many things I've done or said, mistakes I've made. Sometimes I just tried to hurt you for no reason at all. And I hurt myself in many ways as well. I wish you could know how sorry I am. Without you, I wouldn't be on a mission. And You've always been so solid in the gospel, even when life didn't always go as planned, you were always so firm in the faith. Even when you had to deal with a bunch of negative Nancies, you never let your example of solid faithfulness in Christ dwindle. Even when you didn't always understand the "why" all the time, you never doubted our Heavenly Father. I want to thank you for that example. I had an experience a couple weeks ago that really opened my eyes to a lot of things... I can tell you, I never truly understood the complete power of the Atonement before my mission. And I still have a lot to learn. I want to tell you about this experience I had, but I want to write you a letter privately. You might not get it right away, because I want to put a lot of thought into it, but just so you know.
I'm so proud of your bold efforts! You're doing your part and Heavenly Father's proud of you! I know He loves you all very much. I knew that before my mission as well, but now it's just so blindingly obvious! Every time I read an email or a letter or a Dear Elder, ever since I first left home and was off to the MTC, I've seen Him bless you and our family in such miraculous ways. It confirms to me that I am in the right place, that He is always watching over all of us, and it gives me an extra motivation to keep going.
I wrote Hope and Renee emails, but I will write them. I'm sorry, I've been slacking with that... Tell Renee to draw me pictures!!!! And I will write Theresa a letter as well. I need to write the Bishop and thank him for everything as well.. :)
Love,
Hermana Smith
PS - I had chicken wings the other day!
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Chris complains all the time because she doesn't email him. I told him its because he doesn't email. This week he sent her an e-mail for the first time and this is his response. Finally some details about the work week. Haha
The beginning is in regards to a challenge we received from her mission president to read the Book of Mormon 7-9 pages a day as part of a spiritual refiner's fire because they are going through a different kind of refiner's fire out there in the 115 degree heat....
Oh yes! I forgot to mention to mom that I have been reading in the Book of Mormon. I'm in Mosiah chapter 27, I think. :) Odlanier? Haha. He's doing great. Veronica as well. We had an intense lesson with her the other night. It was actually me and sister Franco! We had exchanges and we were back together in this area! Veronica is living in her mom's house right now and we found out that her parents don't really want us there reading from the Book of Mormon. I remember my mind went completely blank as we were talking to her and I didn't know what to say, what to do. Instead, I just started asking questions. Asking her how she felt, what she wanted... and she opened up so much (like always - she's the best) and she REALLY wants it. She feels like this gospel has always been a part of her and it's just filling that part of her that's been missing. I asked her if she prayed and before I could finish my question she excitedly said, "YES!" and said she prayed specifically about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and that she felt happy and peaceful - peace not being a common thing in her household. She wants to feel that way all the time and she knows the gospel will provide that. I asked her if she knew Joseph Smith was a prophet and she was and tears as she said, "yes, I believe it." Just by asking those inspired questions, she opened up so much and started answering her own questions and finding answers to her own concerns. She wants to move out and find her own place for her and her kids and live her own life. By the end of the visit, she said she knows it's not enough to say she wants something, but she is going to take action as soon as possible. And we barely said anything! We just asked inspired questions and the Spirit spoke to her from there.
Another thing that really has been a help for Veronica is that her best friend is a member and getting ready to go to the temple. Not only that, but she is her best friend because she has always been there for her and has never let her down. Veronica often expresses her love for her friend and her example. I hope you know how powerful every member's influence is towards the outside world. Each of us has the honor and responsibility to be a representative of Jesus Christ.
Keep up the great work and I'm so proud of you and the efforts you are making to reach out for that help. We can't get through this life alone. We're not supposed to. That's why Christ came and sacrificed Himself for us. Just like you have been learning so much about the Atonement, I have never understood how completely perfect and great the Atonement is before my mission. I'm still learning, but it amazes me how it literally plays into every aspect of our lives. Everything we can become, everything that's possible is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I love you very much!
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