Did Sera and Mallory leave for BYU yet?
Oh, I thought I should mention... those clothes that you saw in the pictures I sent you...the striped shirts, the green shirt and the alligator necklace? I purchased those with my Old Navy gift card. Just so you know I'm not going on shopping sprees every p-day. Haha.
Anyway, I've been thinking alot about my talents and what I can do after my mission and what I want to do when I grow up (haha) because my patriarchal blessing talks about me pursuing certain talents or vocations that I have in order to help make OTHER people and their lives happy. It boggles my mind and I've been thinking about it a lot. I dunno... but I guess I should start praying more about it instead of thinking about it. I suggest you do the same. I'm sure you have been - you being a spiritual giant and all - but you are without a doubt the smartest, most multi-talented woman I've ever known. No joke. Again, not just saying that as your daughter. So you'll think of something.
So.... what's new.
Odlanier's baptism went swimmingly! We had to do a lot of preparation last minute, but everything fell into place. He felt the spirit! He even got teary eyed at one point. He's a very laid back, chill, whatever kind of guy, so hearing him bear his testimony and seeing how he felt the spirit was a confirmation to me that we did the right thing and that he was really doing it for himself and not just his wife. That was something I worried about at times, just because he's always like, "porque no" "muy bien.." very laid back. I think he's solid, though. And Hermana Juarez, who is his sister-in-law, told us that he didn't want to talk to the missionaries a year ago. And so sister Holland, Veazey and I were the ones he had to meet. (I started teaching him with sister Holland.) The family on his wife's side were very grateful to us. Hermana Laza (wife) comes from the Villatoro family, which is a very well known family in the church all throughout the Spanish wards in the Vegas Valley. That pretty much consisted of the people who came to see him get baptized (only a small portion of that family) and Tomas. :) I will send pictures today! And you can see how much taller he is than his father-in-law who baptized him. Haha.
No, Jose's baptism was moved to September 17th, because the family basically wants all of their best friends and family to be a part of the celebration. The person they want to confirm Jose is on vacation right now, so that's why they pushed it up. Poor Jose... I think he'd be perfectly happy either way, as long as his dad baptizes him. He's really excited. He seemed a little bummed when they changed the date.
No, we didn't get 20 this week....we got 18. The zone leaders were on our butts, though, telling us we need to get 20 in order to make up for the other district's low numbers...they're a little number happy... because our district is like top in the mission as far as LTM's go...and our zone is only made up of 2 districts. Ensign and Paraiso (paradise). We're not complaining, though! 18 is bomb! President only expects us to get 15 anyway. Well, he wants each companionship in the mission to get 10 per week, but he expects 15 from our district. Pressure, pressure...
I'm glad to hear Hope is blossoming well! Has she grown at all? Is she 6 feet yet?
I FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON! Whooo!
Oh, where's the picture of my plague?????
Les quiero mucho!
Sister Smith. This is Brother Gillen who used to be in your ward when you were much younger. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your mission blog. Your mother shares it on facebook and I always enjoy hearing about your adventures on your mission.
ReplyDeleteLike many in the Church, I am also a convert and it was two sister missionaries like you that taught me the gospel. I was very active in my old Church and many probably thought I would be reluctant to hear and accept the gospel, but a member had the courage to invite me and a special sister missionary had the commitment and dedication to the Lord to choose to serve a mission and was just where the Lord needed her to be when the Lord had prepared me to hear their message. This December it will be 20 years since my baptism and this special sister missionary is still a close friend. Our families keep in touch regularly and have grown to love each other. I am so thankful for her commitment to serve the Lord that not only changed my life, but has changes the lives of countless generations of my family both future and past that will now have the blessings of the Gospel in their lives.
Thank you for your commitment to serve the Lord. There are people that are being prepared right now specifically for you to teach who's lives will be changed forever because of the message that you will bring.
Best of luck on your mission.
Brother Gillen
:) Sam doesn't see the blog but I will email this to her. Thanks, Paula
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