Sam's Mission To Zambia Blog: December 30, 2017

From Mom - Whirlwind:

Dear Elder Smith,

We expect that you are still undergoing your MTC whirlwind while we are undergoing our Christmas season whirlwind. You already know what our whirlwind looks like ... family trip to the Smiths and Bruces. Lol! I am overstimulated with all the people and the noise. What you don’t know is that the temperature plummeted (-43 in Leduc) and we can’t go outside, our van started doing weird things (headlights flickering and the click display blinking) and there are eight of us (plus Coco) in our seven seater van. We’ve had to get creative with doing inside things.

While you, on the other hand are packing your brain full of learning experiences. So, some questions.

•Who have the guest speakers been so far?
•Do you know if you are going to the South African MTC? Or get any other info?
•Did you think about anything else we can send with Steph and Tyler for you?
•How is your journal writing going?
•Don’t forget to send us close up pictures of the camera charging port. We’re still trying to find and send you a cord to charge it. And/or details of the make/model/serial number so we can track it down and hopefully get it to you before you leave.
•Favourite class?

Some pics...

Christmas pajamas.

What we bought with Christmas money.

We discovered if we covered her eyes, she wouldn’t bark. Haha.

Christmas bells with Grandma at the Bectell’s.

Baby Holly at the Bruce family bowling event.

It’s impossible to get a family photo of everyone asking about you and saying that they are praying for you. You have a lot of unseen support from Canada. I hope you feel it.

I love you forever,

Mom

From Dad - Christmas Week:

Hi Elder Smith,

Are you used to your new title, yet? Being called Elder is a privilege and a reminder of the sacredness of your calling. Josh mentioned yesterday that he still thinks of himself often as Elder Smith.

We really loved talking to you Christmas Day! Your enthusiasm and testimony were evident and I'm so glad you are having a good MTC experience. I loved the MTC, from the constant spiritual experiences teaching and being taught to the feeling of unity singing the hymns on the stairways at night to doing service in the bathrooms and temple. Keep choosing to love and embrace this experience.

We have really enjoyed learning more and more about Josh's missionary experiences as he has shared them with us this week. We are so proud of him for staying true to his calling and are proud of you as you are embarking on yours.

We've been busy eating too much good food and getting caught up with family. Ben has been busy spreading enthusiasm for D&D to the cousins! He and Josh did some family program performing.

We went to the Southgate mall again to spend our $50 but found that the mall isn't really meeting our needs as much. Spent most of the time in Coles bookstore. Mia was feeling sick at first but rallied at the end to get some lego.

Mia of course is loving the Karaoke machine.

Some questions:

Have you heard any more about the South Africa 🇿🇦 MTC?

Can you give us some more details about your MTC companion ( e.g. where he's from, about his family, his talents and hobbies)?

Is there any chance to sing in the MTC choir anymore at the MTC?

Sure love you Sam. Keep up the great work and learning and soak it all in.

Love,

Dad.

From Sam:

My MTC experience has been pretty amazing. The thing I didn’t realize is that I have 6 hours of classes a day. Except P-Day and Sunday. I’m really getting to love the missionaries in my Zone and District. My companions name is Elder Rich, he lives here in Utah, 20 minutes away from the MTC. He has two triplet brothers, both in different MTCs at the same time. We’re both getting better at teaching and working together with the Lessons.

So far I haven’t heard anything about the South African MTC, but I do have my flight itinerary. I’m leaving the MTC on the 9th. It’s amazing how time flies, especially when in a lesson. On Wednesday, me and Elder Rich taught a 45 minute lesson, but it didn’t feel like 45 minutes. We even went overtime by 5 minutes. So we taught a 50 minute lesson.

The MTC choir is on Sundays and Tuesdays. We sing for the devotionals that are on Tuesday’s. I really like the MTC choir director, he’s really funny but knows how to get back on track right away.

I’ve been reading so much in the Book of Mormon, everyday I feel of its truthfulness. Something we do in class is called a Book of Mormon read. It’s when everyone gets in a circle and we all pick one chapter from the Book of Mormon then we take turns reading a verse each, but we stop on every verse and talk about what that verse means to us or how we can apply it to our lives. But, before we all read, we all write down a question and think of that question while we read. The question, by the end of the read, will be answered, if your open to the spirit and try hard to find the answer. Unless it’s a dumb question. I challenge everybody to try it out.

Elder Ellsworth got his Christmas package of Christmas snacks,