On the home stretch

	Mon, Dec 31, 2018, 8:43 AM

Dear Mom,

Wow! That's crazy that both Kaitlin and Kiersten are getting married. And Ammon. What? Kaitlin told me that they're getting married in June in Kennewick. I'll be able to go and see them get married. 

This week was good. We kept teaching all of the people from last week. On Saturday, we taught Mariana and Cristian about the law of chastity and they said they'll "talk about it." They didn't go to church so we think they were all little shocked by the lesson. We'll keep teaching them. We're praying that the Spirit softens their hearts.

The Gauna family went to church on Sunday. Their Dad, Carlos, went too for the first time in years! Yea! 

So, about getting released, I'm pretty sure I'll cry. It feels way too close so I avoid thinking about it. 

I got the flight plans too and wow, that's a lot of layover time. Fortunately, Elder Mitchell gave me a $10 bill for Christmas with a note that says "Dear Elder Smith, buy yourself lunch in the airport, love, Elder Mitchell." Haha, that's the only American money I have. But, I think my debit card will work in the airport. 

Do you think you could put around $250 in my checking account? Next week we're going to capital to buy souvenirs. (don't remember how to spell that)

Thanks for answering the questions about Grandpa Garth. I've already read it numerous times. I love learning about Grandpa. 

Sorry for the short email. I love you! Thanks for your help with Sadie's Christmas gift. 

Love,

Elder Smith

Cristian and Mariana

Cameron James Smith

Mon, Dec 24

Dear Mom,

This week was incredibly successful and really really tiring. I'll start with the good:

The Gauna Family

Last Monday we were planning in the morning and felt the impression to go visit an elderly member whose name we found in the ward directory. I ignored the impressions because she lives in a rather dangerous area and we would have to visit her late at night. And she lives far away from the other plans that we had already made. 

BUT, the impression came again so we wrote her name as the last thing on our agenda. 

We went to her house and were surprised to meet the Gauna Family, a family of 18, half of which are members of the church who haven't attended in years!!! They cheerfully received us. 

Four of the children (Nicolas, Elizabeth, Juaquin and Kiara) came to church on Sunday and LOVED IT! We're very excited for them and how ready they are to receive the gospel! I can tell you more about them tomorrow. 

Work, Work, Work: Cristian and Mariana

We've been trying really hard to give everything this Christmas season! In all of the buses, we've been sharing our testimonies of the Book of Mormon with everyone; in all the trains, we've been singing Christmas hymns and inviting everyone to learn more about Christ! 

Although we've never actually taught anyone that we met in the trains and buses, God has guided us through the people that receive us there. On Wednesday, we went looking for a young family that we talked to on the train. All the neighbors said, "oh, they live in the next house. No the next house. No the other next house." Ah! Never found them. It was a fake address. 

BUT, we did find Cristian and Mariana. They are the happiest couple that I have ever met in my mission!!! We knocked on their door and they let us right in! They're very interested in the church and the Book of Mormon! I'll write more about them as they keep progressing!

Tarjetas

On Saturday, President Smith challenged us to invite 300-500 people to church on the 23rd. We worked liked crazy and invited 400 people to church!

The Sun

So, like I said, on Saturday we worked like crazy. Thanks to my good friend, the sun, this Sunday was possibly the sickest day of my mission. Sunburn, headaches, muscle aches, weakness, and exhaustion (I think I was really dehydrated).  But, I got a good nights rest, drank lots of water and now I'm doing well. 

So yep, that was my week!

I love you! Talk to you tomorrow!!!

Elder Smith

Finishing my mission in Saurez

Dear Mom, 

Yep! Still in Suarez!!! Elder Dominguez was changed to another area. My new companion is Elder Mitchell from Connecticut (not the Elder Mitchell that I was in the offices with). He's really happy and easy to get along with. We've been working a lot. The train singing hasn't been too successful but we find lots of people on the buses! This week we taught a young man (José) that we ran into while we were looking for the house of another guy I had talked to on the bus. We scheduled an appointment with Jose and when we went his first question was, "I've always wondered, did Jesus ever come to the Americas?" uhhhhhhhh, what? Who asks that kind of question? We gladly answered him yes and proceeded to share a Book of Mormon with him. The Spirit was present in the lesson. We're excited to see how he progresses!

The other people we are teaching are doing well. A few little hiccups with opposition from family members but we're hoping on some Christmas miracles.

Being in Men's Chorus again would be great, but I need to practice a lot. My voice isn't as strong as before. 

Joining the Lord's Youth Batallion has been fun! I love feeling part of something bigger than me and my life. Praying every day that all of God's children can receive the gospel has made me think differently during the day. It's easier to find the motivation to talk to everyone that I can. 

I'm pretty sure that we'll do the video call on Christmas day. I'll be able to write you about it on the 24th. I'm thinking it will be good to have a call with just our family. 

Favorite Christmas song? Probably We Three Kings. My favorite Christmas Hymn is O Little Town of Bethlehem. 

Elder Stokes told me that the package got to the offices. I'll get it on Thursday when we have our mission Christmas concert!

I love you! Talk to you in a week!!!!

Elder Smith

Light the World

Dear Mom, 

I too am amazed at how fast the days are flying by! This week felt like nothing! We've been enjoying the "Light the World" campaign! We've been singing Christmas hymns in the trains (I was really nervous at first but it gets easier every time we do it). No one has accepted us in the train yet but I trust that we are planting many many little seeds every day!

This week we had a great zone conference. We gathered together with the stake and ward leadership and were taught by President Smith, Elder Batalla (area seventy) and President Foti (stake president). It was a very different feeling to be taught with the members but it makes so much more sense now that I think about it. We have to work together to have success!

On Friday, I read the youth devotional from President Nelson and his wife. The first time I listened to it I thought, "meh, I'm not a youth. I can't do these things." Rereading made me see that I can do almost everything that President Nelson asked of the youth. I decided to join the Lord's Youth Battalion!  So, yes. I made a little plan for what I'm going to do and I'm going to do it!

As for Christmas plans on the ward's part, we're having a ward dinner this Friday. I don't remember anything else. 

Transfers are coming tonight! I'll find out if I'll end my mission in Suarez or somewhere else. Ah! It's so crazy to think that I only have one transfer left. I hope it's the best one yet. 

I told Dad today that I would like to work for him when I get back in January. What questions or suggestions do you have for me as far as plans that I need to make before I get back?

I love you!!!!! Enjoy the snow!!!!!!!!!! (I hope more comes :)

Love,

Elder Smith

Pictures

Baptism of Cesar Martinez

After the baptism of Illary

A Miracle on Sunday

This week was great! Brother Martinez and Illary were both baptized and confirmed this week! Brother Martinez was nervous going into the baptismal service but after being baptized said that he felt calm and happy. Illary was so happy to be baptized! She's 9 and loves the church so much. 

We had a miracle on Sunday! We went to church on Sunday and met a young woman named Judith. She had come to the church with her cousins for the first time. We asked her why she came and she replied that she wants a change in her life. We had a nice conversation about the Book of Mormon and how it helps us find truth in our lives. She gladly accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, agreed to read it and accepted the challenge to be baptized in three weeks! We're excited to start teaching her tomorrow. 

There are other investigators that are progressing but I'll write more about them later.

So soup: we didn't have lunch so we chopped up the two things we had in the fridge (carrots and potatos), cooked some rice, and threw it all together. We also threw in a cube of seasoning called "caldo" that I latter realized was chicken bouillon. 

Ammon and Kaitlin, hm. I can see that working. Tell them they have to wait longer than the Hopkins so that I can go to the wedding, haha. 

We go to the temple our last week in the mission field (a week that is getting closer at an alarming rate!!!! Gotta work while there's time!!!!) When I get back, I think I'll go to temple sessions in both languages. As of now, I've been to more sessions in Spanish than in English.

We're using the "Ilumina El Mundo" videos in our lessons. It's a good way to get into doors. No, fortunately, there are no strange insects or animals. The craziest it gets is a few lizards on the walls.  

Okay, yes. I like your idea for Sadie's Christmas gift. I'll write my part next week. 

Have a great week!  Love,

Elder Smith