First Transfers Week

Before I get the ball rolling in my awesome blog post of the week, I must announce the transfer call. I am remaining in my area with my trainer Sister West, but Sister Steed is being transferred to Orcherview in Fresno North Stake on Wednesday. We will miss her dearly, but I know why we are not typically in trios...it is to much fun and we can get in trouble more easily haha It was an honor to work with her though!


As the weekend approaches, we are preparing for Daisy's baptism. I am so proud of her and she is like a little sister to me. She asked me to give a talk at her baptism about baptism haha should be fun, but it is my first baptism talk. WOOHOO! Then Audrey is progressing so much and it was so heart warming when she broke down in tears in our lesson yesterday. She felt the Spirit so strongly and I know she can feel it. I adore her and she reminds me of myself as well. She is a sweet girl and has an awesome fashion since. I will send pictures of both of them sometime. We also have two more investigators that are just outstanding and they are excited about the Gospel.


Oh, I almost forgot (not really). This past weekend, I was able to listen to the words of an apostle and shake his hand. It was SUPER COOL! I received so much personal revelation and his words still ring in my ears. My companions and I were fortunate enough to go to two conferences that he presided over. One being a mission conference were ALL the missionaries in this mission come together (that's about 240) and the other being just for our stake. We were super blessed and I know that he is a servant of the Lord and he spoke the exact words that we needed to hear. I cannot wait for General Conference. It lands on Easter this year and it will be extra special. I felt confused at first though, because he looked different from his pictures and he was pretty dang funny. I did not know that General Authorities could be hilarious (besides President Monson of course).


The days are going by fast here. There is a quote floating around the mission that goes "A day feels like a week and a week feels like a day." That is 100% accurate! I have been gone for about two months now (correct me if I am wrong) and it has been an incredible adventure so far. I am enjoying myself and I am growing more each day, spiritually that is. By the way, California is hot and it is only March.


I have to wrap things up here, but I want to tell all of you that I miss you and I am praying for everyone back home, by name. I miss Ohio so much and I sometimes I just want to relax, but I know that what I am doing is making a difference to others. This is where I am needed and I am meeting so many beautiful souls out here in California. I hope that your week is well and I would like you to always remember Christ in your life when you go about your day. With Easter coming up, it is easy to think of what He did for us and His crucifixion, but I want you to think about WHY. Why did He die for us and what have we been giving because of His sacrifice? I know that Jesus Christ loves us and He wants us to live our life to the fullest. He wants us to have pure joy.


Until next week,

Sister Smith

Happy St. Patrick's Day

There is so much happening all around me everyday and I just wish that I could have someone record my life. That would be so much easier to explain what is happening, but life is not a big movie. For starters, I am changing so much physically and mentally. I am pretty sure that my hair is super red now and I am not as pale. Oh, did I mention I can run 2 miles in 20 minutes? Not fun, but I can do it more gracefully then I ever could before in my whole life. I am also eating salads all time, which is super weird! I am strengthening my testimony all the time though and I am understanding things better then I ever would without my mission. 

I want this message to be brief, but never give up. That is my spiritual thought for this week. I have gained a strong testimony about the Lord strengthening us when we need it and when we feel incapable. I know that if we put in all that we can do, we will be able to accomplish it. Listen to the amazing talk His Grace is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox and you will understand why. I know that if we build our lives upon the rock of Christ [Helaman 5:12] that we will always be able to make it through whatever challenges that life may bring. I love you all and just wanted to share that with you brothers and sisters. I testify that you will always be good enough in the eyes of God if you put in all of your effort to follow Him and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

(here is a beautiful California sun rise)

 

Good News All Around!

I do not know where to begin and this will probably be short because I have so much on my mind right now, but I am now in a Tri Companionship! This will last for at least until the end of transfers (2 weeks left). Sister Steed is now in our little group and she is from St. George, Utah. You know they say that one out of three missionaries is from Utah haha LIVING STATISTIC!

Oh, more awesome news! Two of our investigators are going to be baptized at the end of March :D One is Daisy and she just surprises me every time we see her. She reminds me of myself, which could go either way I suppose haha The other woman being baptized is Brandi. She is really cool and has two sweet children. Fun fact, her husband is Muslim. I truly believe that Fresno, California is the real "Melting Pot" of the world. I have met so many different people from all over the world and that speak so many different languages. REALLY COOL!

Then to top of all the good news....drumroll...AN APOSTLE IS COMING TO SPEAK TO OUR STAKE! (and only our stake) Wicked cool! I am so excited to be able to hear the words of a General Authority in person. If you were wondering who it might be, it will be M. Russell Ballard. Lately I have been calling him Elder Ballhard haha I think I am so clever. That will be next weekend so that is something to look forward to.

All is well in sunny California and I hope everyone back home is doing well. I know that as I continue to do my best in my mission and dedicate my heart to the Lord, that my family will be blessed and they are. That means more than just my blood family by the way. I love everyone and miss you all so much, but I would not give this up for anything. This is what God had planned for me before I was even born and I am embracing my destiny. I hope you all do the same and just love life. God will always bless us for our efforts. I know this to be true. God knows all of us individually and He loves us know matter what. Embrace it. I know that as you do so, you will see a change in your life whether it may be small or drastic, but it WILL be good. I can promise that. I say these things in the name of Our Brother, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sister Smith

Alma 26:12

God is Real

To start of my message about the week, I would like to share with you all that I know for a fact that God is real. he is working on this area with full intent and the field is most definitely white. This week we received several referrals and they were all prepared for us. A few of them literally went looking for us and now they all want to get baptized. There are no dates set, but there are many on the horizon. I am so excited for the work that is going on in Fresno. Two of our investigators are so stoked about the Gospel and becoming a member. With their background and history, I know that was suppose to teach them. I can testify that I was given the life that have lived for the benefit of the people I am teaching here. They are waiting to be taught and I am fully prepared to find them.

One of our new investigators signed up on LDS.org to have missionaries come over to here house and she literally asked "How do I become an official member?" after the first lesson. She is constantly jumping for joy whenever we come over and she is progressing most diligently. We had Stake conference this past weekend and it was so enlightening. I actually took notes, which I do not do to often. I learned that Fresno is home to a Quorum of the Seventy member and he presided (hosted) over the conference.

Shout out to the Huber heights Relief Society! Thank you so much for making me a banner. I put it up above my bed and I absolutely love it. It helps keep me positive when I may feel down. thank you ladies for being an inspiration to a Sister in need. I would also like to thank the entire Huber Heights ward and our amazing Bishop. I am so grateful for you charity unto me. That reminds of a charitable moment my companion and I found ourselves in a few nights ago. We were running through a drive through on our way to an appointment (that is another story in its self) and the car in front of us paid for our meals so we paid for the car behind us. Hopefully we started a pay it forward chain reaction. I invite you to do one good thing for someone else this week. It does not matter how big or small. I love you all and can promise that it will make someone smile with gratitude. God Speed.

 Sister Smith
Charity is Love [2 Nephi 26:30]