January 5, 2018

From Dad - Decompress week:

Hi Sam,

Wow, can  you believe  you will be leaving for the field in Africa on Tuesday! Time seems to have flown by since you went into the MTC. We think of and pray for you every day.

This week has been a pretty relaxed week after getting home from New Years at the Bruces. As always, we had a really fun time there. It was super cold, so we didn't get out too much and with the families growing ever bigger, it was often snug and tight in the house, but full of love. For New Years day, we ended up going to the church for Chinese Christmas which turned out to be really nice as we pulled in all the couches and comfy chairs from around the church and had a nice circle of family to battle it out with Chinese Christmas gifts. 

  

A New Year is always a good time to reflect on where we've been and where we want to go. I recently listened to a TED talk about thinking more long term as we look to solve our problems and make an impact on the world. As you are just at the beginning of your mission, I would challenge you in your quiet study  moments to take some time to reflect with the end in mind. First, go way long. Think about where you want to be 20-30 years from now and think about how what you are doing now will impact that  future. then come back to 10 years and then 2 years from now. What kind of missionary do you want to be when you finish your mission? What impact do you want to have made on your personal progression, your companions, and most of all the people of Zambia. Then set goals and plans from that perspective to drive what you do and how you act now. I plan to do that too in my own situation and will try and share some of my journey with you.

We dropped Steph and Tyler off at the Airport in Calgary on the way home Tuesday and since then we’ve been doing a lot of down time activities like getting Josh caught up on movies, Cody and Benson were here with Kurri, so lots of D&D late nights (thanks to you, Sam!). Last night, Mom, Josh and I went to a temple session then helped clean the temple. The Temple brings perspective and peace. Hope you had a chance to go a few times in Provo.

Questions:

1. Did you get a package from Steph and Tyler? We sent some stuff down with them.
2. Any other GA’s show up to talk this week?
3. Are any of your instructors missionaries who have served in Zambia or Africa?
4. Do you have your travel plans for flying to Zambia? Can you share them so we know when you fly out? Are you going to call from the airport? If so, you can call my phone (780-235-3924) collect from a pay phone unless there is a better method.
5. Are you able to offload all your iPad pictures to a sd card or some other method?

Have a great P-day, Sam. Sure are proud of you.

Dad.

PS. Mom loves your Secret Santa Gift (iPhone stand)

From Sam - Last week in the MTC:

Dear friends and family,

I love the MTC! I’ve been enjoying every bit of it. The best part about my stay has been because I’ve stayed during Christmas and New Years. I said before that I had a great time during christmas because of the speakers, but during the new years devotional, Brad Wilcox spake and Lexi Walker came to sing. I’m amazed at the people I see here at the MTC. On Sunday night, I watched the “Character if Christ”. If you haven’t seen it, I hugely recommend it. 

Through out the week, I’ve been going to infield training. It’s just the MTC’s way of making sure you know what to expect out in the field. I’m enjoying every experience. But one my favorite thing to do in the MTC are Book of Mormon reads. I strongly recommend doing one of these everyday if possible. Every time I do one, my own testimony and understanding of the Book of Mormon increases. There’s so much to learn. 

The more fun part of my week are because of my companion. Don’t get me wrong, I love my companion and I don’t mind what we’ve been through. But, we were supposed to host the new missionaries, but, earlier in the morning we went to the medical office to get our malaria pills and while we were there, Elder Rich booked a dental appointment because his teeth were bugging him. So, instead of hosting, we went to the dentist. We were worried that it might be a root canal, but thankfully it wasn’t. 

I’ve been learning a lot in all my classes. We do a lot of role play and learning the doctrine through Book of Mormon reads and delving deep into questions. For one of my classes, I had a teacher that taught Elder Damon Bectal, Brother Smith. He’s so enthusiastic about the gospel and missionary work. It’s lots of fun. 

I love you all. The church is true. Stay awesome!

Here’s me flipping out at the Provo Temple/MTC

Yes!!! My Can Care Pack(Canadien Care Package)

A taste of home. 

Sincerely, Elder Smith

PS1: Dad, to answer your questions

1. Yes, I got the care package. Thanks so much. Maybe a little overboard with the pens/Pencils.

2. So far, only area 70s, the general young woman’s president, Brad Wilcox and Lexi Walker

3. I haven’t met anyone who has gone to Zambia, but two of my teachers will be there for a humanitarian service project during my mission. 

4. I’ll send them to you

5. I’ll have to check.

I love you so much!

PS2: Travel Plans

From: MTC No Reply <no-reply@mtc.byu.edu>
Date: December 29, 2017 at 12:56:15 PM MST
To: samuel.b.smith@myldsmail.net
Subject: Travel Itinerary and Instructions
Reply-To: MTC No Reply <no-reply@mtc.byu.edu>

Greetings Elder Smith:

Your training at the Provo MTC is nearing completion. We hope you have found your time here inspiring and productive.

Attached you will find your itinerary for travel to your mission. Please read over the information carefully. The attachment includes your airline(s) and flight information along with luggage allowances. We recommend forwarding this information to your family so they will know your travel plans.

There is no need to print this itinerary. Please note the check out time and you will receive a copy of the itinerary when you depart.

If you have questions, please come to the Travel Office in S2-119 between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Sincerely,
MTC Travel Team


PS3: My MTC district

Elder Hansen, Elder Hoffman, Elder Palmer, Sister Ulu’Ave, Sister Rigby, Sister Sheen, Sister Williams, Brother Oliva(Teacher), Elder Ellsworth, Elder Mogg, Me, Elder Mace, Elder Rich and Elder Vance. 

From Mom Frozen Family:





You have to understand it was about -30. We took off our jackets, ran to this spot, snapped pictures for 15 seconds then ran and grabbed our jackets and bee lined it to the church, sprinting all the way. Then I was cold for two hours. Lol!

Steph’s going to try to get you a family picture copy of us in the snow before you fly to Zambia.


LOVED it that you got the package! We love you so much. We pray for you every day. I think today will be my crying day. Haha.