March 26, 2018

From Dad - Weekly Update:

Dear Sam,

We are still not quite at spring yet! We got another good snow storm this week and the girls are loving the extended ski season. They are getting pretty good and even considering the black diamond run!

This week I took a trip to Detroit Michigan to meet with one of our customers, General Motors, who use our software to manufacture cars. There is lots of talk about moving to electric and autonomous vehicles. It is always a little intimidating to meet with such a high profile customer, but it is also good to get direct feedback on how our software can improve and meet their needs.

Ben is off for Spring break and is looking forward to some sleep in time, though he has lots of piano commitments to keep him busy. He was hired to play piano for a drama group presentation that is 57 pages of music long! He also is preparing 6+ pieces for festival. Sometimes I think he needs to learn to say no to some things, but he is young and optimistic!

Josh is doing well and dating lots. He is only about a month away from heading down to BYU Idaho and looking forward to it I think. He's considering a trip to Utah for General Conference but also with the extra motivation of meeting up with a girl he met on his mission. Ben is considering a road trip with him. Need to git the silver car a new strut assembly before he goes, though, so we'll see how it all comes together.

Josh and I went and helped Brother Frank move to his condo. He has to sell his house to deal with some financial challenges stemming from health challenges. It felt good to serve, though my muscles felt it after.

Mom is doing great as Primary president, though not enjoying the extra meetings so much. We are planning a date to go to the optometrist to get our eyes checked. Your parents are getting older, Sammy!

I enjoyed teaching SS again this week and love the symbolism in the story of Joseph.

This was a picture that resonated with me as I thought about the reunion of Joseph and his brothers:

I don't have any pics this week. Maybe before the days out, I'll take a video to send and upload to your shared folder.

Have a great week and remember we pray for you daily.

Love,

Dad.

From Sam - Last week of Training:

 I'm on my last week of training. After this week i'll be a regular missionary.

This past week has been so hot. I burned my nose so hard this week. I don't know if I'll never not have a burnt nose for my whole mission. I'm constantly thinking about what it will be like not to sweat and worry about where the sun is hitting my body. I had one day this week where It rained super hard out of nowhere and I had to walk through it with the only an umbrella for protection. My upper half stayed dry, but my lower half got soaked. That happened on Saturday and my shoes are still drying out. I was recently talking with my companion about how my mind is still trying to comprehend that i'm in Africa. I told him that there's not a lot of difference in home and here. Just the streets, the houses, the people, the vehicles, the wildlife and the weather, pretty much everything is different here, My mind just won't let me comprehend it all.

Yesterday was pretty cool. I was able to walk to church with an investigator who is struggling to come to church. I thought the walk was going to be 2 hours, but it only to 1 hour. It was a cool walk. I always bus to church, so it was cool to take a more direct walking route than what the bus took. I've said before the that English here is sometimes hard to understand, it varies from almost perfect to awkward what the heck are you saying. It's so much fun though, every once in a while when I'm talking to my companion or other Americans I can hear the accent I use when I'm teaching people who don't have the best English. I'm always wondering what kind of accent I will have when I come home.

I always think to myself that happiness is a state of mind, not a destination. So even though It's been +28-30C and I'm sweating up a storm, I always try to be happy and be positive. One funny thing is when we went to see a new investigator(who wasn't home) around 10 kids were watching us because we're white. So I started to move my head around and move just my torso(Showing them my dance moves) They all were dumb founded, some even tried to copy me. It was really funny to see their reaction and even funnier when they tried to copy me. 

The mission life is awesome, I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me. I just have to be willing to do whatever it is he asks me to do. In theory I can do it, but I have to focus on what I will actually do when I have to do it in reality. I'm reading Jesus The Christ(If you haven't read it before, I strongly suggest that you do so) and I'm learning so much about Jesus' mortal ministry. It explains everything in such a way where it makes perfect sense. I relate a testimony to a fire. As a missionary it is my purpose to help other light their fire(testimony) on the restored gospel. It is then their duty to keep it going by feeding it materials that won't burn away in mere seconds. Feeding it something that will last for a while like reading the scriptures, going to church, always praying and keeping the commandments. But if we stop feeding our fire, no matter how big it is, it can burn out. We have to always be feeding our fire no matter what. We also have to beware of things that will douse our fire(sin) but as long as we do our best to feed our fire. It won't go out.

The church is a place of true happiness. Nothing but the truth can give that kind of happiness.

Elder Smith

Pictures:

1. A Pineapple Tree

2. A Goblin King in the road

3. A Storm only 250 Meters away

4. Me Enjoying Zambian Ice-Cream

5.  A Beautiful African Sunset

6. Me and my companion helping an investigator with math.

March 19, 2018

From Mom: Pre-Spring

Dear Elder Smith,

We’ve liked your storm pictures! Mostly because this is the time of year we’re so tired of winter and looking forward to our own summer storms. BUT things are starting to melt.



We had a good laugh at the snowman whose backside was facing the south sun. He’s just a blob now with fresh snow on top as it snowed again. Lol!

Anyway, this week was a good one. Dad is on his way to Detroit, Michigan, for a business trip. I saw a little video James posted of Tyler climbing; it sounds like he still loves it. Steph was in Glenwood/Sparwood finishing up her documentary this past weekend. Josh is finishing up some last minute things to be able to attend school, and working hard with Peter Rector. Ben is busy as ever with school; we went to parent/teacher interviews and he’s doing well. Abby and Mia are clamoring to get ski passes for their learning plan next year as they caught the ski bug. Life goes on, doesn’t it?



St. Patrick’s Day breakfast



Josh and the girls went to Tatyana’s birthday masquerade and had fun ballroom dancing.

Bath time for Coco. 

I am getting a huge kick out of my new Primary Calling. The children crack me up constantly and they’re helping me find the joy in attending church again. As you know, I sometimes don’t want to go to church, although I never regret going. Now, though, I’m starting to actually look forward to it (a small miracle), and I think it’s because of the kids. I love the Gospel and as I study it in preparation to teach it in a way that children can understand, those truths are sinking ever deeper. This month I’ve been teaching that Jesus is our Savior. One of the object lessons I used was a long stick representing the covenant we make at baptism. We grasp hold of one side and God holds the other. I asked the children, “if someone is going to break the covenant by letting go of the stick, who is it going to be?” They seriously thought about it for a moment and look truly shocked to realize that God never lets go ... ever ... that if anyone breaks the covenant, it will be us. I was struck by Jacob in the B of M saying “cleave unto God as he cleaves unto you.” I have a solid understanding that our Father in Heaven loves us beyond comprehension, that he is always available to us as we turn to him and he helps us, strengthens us and upholds us. It’s power, Sam. We have a power when God is with us that is impossible for us to get on our own. I’m grateful that I have this conviction strengthened through my service to the children. 

I pray your testimony will also be strengthened as you serve. We love you. We pray for you daily. We hope you are learning new things every week and being guided and directed in everything you do. Keep a going, Sammy Sam. 

Love forever,

Mom

From Dad - Adding some pics:

Abby at YW camp

Took Ben on a date to get his style going 

From Sam 

Hello Family,

I love the pictures. What is the picture with Josh, Abby and Mia dressed up? It's awesome.

I've been reading Jesus the Christ everyday and I'm learning so much. I love how when it talks about a parable it explains it

in detail. I'm really understanding the life of Christ.

Any questions for me?

Elder Smith

Mom's response:

They were going to Tatyana’s 16th birthday party, which was an old fashioned masquerade. It was held at the church where there was enough space for ballroom dancing. Josh took the girls while Dad and I took Ben out for a long overdue date. Josh is a good big brother. 

Questions:

1) Is there anyone in particular from the ward you’ve really connected with? Tell us about that person and details about the ward. How many attend? What is the building like? 

2) What was your last scriptural epiphany?

3) What is your favourite thing about Zambian culture?

4) Have you had to have a translator yet?

5) Biggest challenge of the week?

Sam's Reply:

I feel like i'm kinda failing in getting to know the ward, but for the people i've connected with so far are The Bishop(He stays in my area), My investigators, Some of the american families working at the American Embassy and Some other families. One family we visit often in the Bonda family(The name Bonda in like Smith, There are so many of them.)There's Sister Ireen(The mom), Kenny(The Older Brother), Peter(The adopted brother) and Blessing(The younger brother). I'll get you a picture soon. Kenny helps us teach/translate sometimes. He also does some of our laundry. 

The ward is around 100 - 150 members. We used to stay at a rented house but then got moved to the Libala chapel and are sharing with the Libala ward. There are 3 missionary companionships in the ward. Me and my companion and two Sister companionships.

I was reading in the Book of Mormon near the middle of Helaman where Nephi tells the people of the death of the chief judge. And after all that stuff he is heading home and the voice of the lord comes unto him and he receives the sealing power because of his Unwearyingness in teaching the gospel. He then goes straight way back to teaching the people without stopping at his home. I realised that Nephi didn't receive this power suddenly, but over time as he learned about the Gospel and went on doing the will of God with unwearyingness. He, Moroni, Helaman and many other prophets are human and gained their faith line upon line. Showing that even I can achieve that level of faith.

My favourite thing is the Nshima. I can only take about two lumps before my body tells my tongue I can't eat anymore. There are different relishes that you can eat with it. There's soy pieces, beans and soup, chiwawa, rape, chicken and just about anything you can think of. It's so good, it's too bad you can't get it at home.

I've had Kenny translate for us and also my recent convert, Joshua(Chiluzu), translate for us. Many people we teach can speak english but understands not so much.

The biggest challenge this week was finding people to teach. It's hard because anyone will listen, but almost all just want to be preached to. There's not so much people who are willing to make a change in their lives.

Hope I answered those questions well enough,

Elder Smith

Sam's Main Email - Every Effort Counts:

This week has been amazing! The hardest part is remembering what I did. I should just send you all my journal entries. That way I can never miss a detail(unless my journal misses those details) I'll just stick to my regular emails.

One experience I can remember from the top of my head. Yesterday we went to a Barber Shop to wait for an investigator. While we were waiting, we started talking to someone who was on the computer listening to "Gospel" music. I asked if he would like to listen to some of my music.(I put church stamped music on my micro usb and put it into my missionary phone) I plugged in my micro sd card and played "Glorious" By the One Voice Children's Choir. He listened for 30 seconds and asked for all of the music I had on the sd. So now he has a lot of Mormon Tabernacle Choir music, LDS youth theme music and other church music. In Preach My Gospel it talks about how no effort is wasted. I hope he listens to the music and feels the spirit and that next time we talk to him he'll be able to feel of that same spirit. After all the music was on his drive, he started watching Big Hero 6. It took all my mental and physical energy to leave before I accidentally watch the whole movie.

I was reading in the Bible Dictionary on "Conversion" and it talked about how true conversion only comes after you are tried and tested. God wants nothing but our happiness and knows exactly what will bring us that happiness. Sometimes that happiness comes after a sadness and trial. We can only know joy when we know sorrow. After reading about conversion, I'm starting to pray for those challenges so that I can be truly converted to this Gospel and to Jesus Christ. 

I always see how hardships can help me and I want to go through them, but as soon as I'm in them I think to myself "What was I Thinking! This is hard!" I've also been reading in Jesus the Christ, I'm learning so much but what struck me was that it talked about how the Pharisees were prideful in how humble they were. I was thinking that Pride comes in so many ways and it sneaks in if we are not careful. We need to pray always so that we can resist temptation.

I love missionary work, I love the Gospel. My testimony increases every time I teach. I love it, It's true.

Missionary work is hard, but not at the same time. It's a good kind of hard. I love it, It's awesome.

Elder Smith

Investigator shot

German Pancakes

A sign in a takeaway in my area...

March 11, 2018

From Dad - Spring's around the corner in Canada

Greetings Elder Sam,

We are starting to see glimmerings of spring here in the North and it is none too soon. Mom even made me buy flowers to brighten the winter blues (when I say “make” of course I mean invited me while batting those beautiful blue eyes and eyelashes at me 😊 ). Just today Mia finally got her snow dream of having “snow man snow”. Frank the snowman was born (or maybe resurrected… I seem to remember the last snowman being named “Frank” too) and the sun is shining. We even have an extra hour at night with the change in daylight savings time happening this week-end. Do they have daylight savings time in Africa? I suspect not!

Yesterday was another interesting vehicle day for us. There is no end to our vehicle adventures as they all now are in the 300 000 km range.

1. Josh took a feminist on a date (Bro. Patrick’s grand-daughter) in the white car on purpose so she would have to open the door for him (remember that the drive side door doesn’t open from the inside!). We’ll see if it made a good impression or not on him if she lets him take her out again!
2. Ben took the garbage to the dump on Saturday and was kind enough to run Josh a hot lunch at the Days where he is working on their barn. Trouble is as always that he left the truck running, didn’t hit the unlock button and ended up locking the keys in the car again! Luckily there was more tools on the construction site and Josh made short work of it. I talked to Peter Rector at church and he told me he never leaves a vehicle running without rolling down the window a couple of inches just in case. Might need to start doing that.

3. Mom and I went to the temple on Saturday and noticed just inside of Edmonton that the whole front dash board including the brake lights and signal lights had stopped working! We carefully made it to the temple then straight to Canadian Tire after. We replaced the fuse, but on the way home it went out again! I did some internet research and found some hints that is probably a short, so I taped up our trailer wire as it had bare wires and replaced the fuse again. So far so good, but could be interesting.
4. You know it might be time to start saving for a new vehicle when your wife suggests renting a vehicle for the long trip to Utah for Steph’s graduation. I say, where’s the fun in that 😊

This week was Ward Conference and it was a good one!

Bishop Lambert gave a great talk about staying the course even when life is hard and you don’t feel good enough and trusting the grace of the Savior. As long as we don’t stop trying and continue to repent, we are not sinners.

"I do not believe that any... (one) lives up to his ideals, but if we are striving, if we are working, if we are trying, to the best of our ability, to improve day by day, then we are in the line of our duty.  If we are seeking to remedy our own defects, if we are so living that we can ask God for light, for knowledge, for intelligence, and above all, for His Spirit, that we may overcome our weaknesses, then, I can tell you, we are in the straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal.  Then we need have no fear .... no man is perfect, but one who strives earnestly to conquer weaknesses and grow into perfection does not sin.  That is to say, he is not a sinner.  A sinner is one who indulges in sin habitually because he takes pleasure in it."     (Pres. Heber J. Grant - Gospel Standards, pp 184-185)

All the youth joined in singing a special number “Peace in Christ”. You would have loved it! Ben and Ben and Ben sang a harmony part that tied it off all nicely.

President Johnson also shared a great analogy from a YM ice climbing trip. Their ropes were in the middle of the waterfall, so when he tried climbing the edge, he eventually was drawn to the middle of the falls. Compared the ropes to our family ties and how if the family stays in the middle of the gospel and anchored to the Savior (like the anchor was tied to the biggest tree possible) , then our children will be drawn to the family ties and the Savior even if they try the edges of things. I’m grateful for our family ties, Sam. I love that you are sharing that gospel center with the people of Zambia.

In Priesthood/RS hour, the Stake led us in a meeting about counselling by having us sit at tables and counsel together about improving FHE and Personal Prayers. FHE has been an important part of our family culture and part of the may drops in the bucket that have added up over the years to bring our family close together and anchored in the Gospel. This week in FHE, Mom presented the topic, “How do we become friends with Heavenly Father, following up on the previous FHE about the importance of having and being a good friend. We had a great conversation about the power of prayer and we read again the wonderful description of prayer in the Bible Dictionary:

“Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”

I’m thankful for the blessings of FHE and personal prayer in my life. I’m trying to pray so that I seek the will of the Father more than I seek my own will. It’s tough to do in this natural man fallen world, but worth the effort.

In other news, We went to cheap night skiing at Rabbit Hill and had fun watching Abby and Mia re-learning how to ski. Josh spent the night at the bunny hill, re-learning how to bruise his but and break his wrists on a snowboard.

Josh has been dating a lot and Ben got partially tricked into being a grad date. He basically got set up to go have ice cream at lunch, but everyone ditched except the girl that wanted to ask him! Of course, being the gentleman he is, he couldn’t say no. Maybe he’ll send you more juicy details! He is also looking forward to going to Whistler again and even took up the clarinet to be able to play in the band to do it. He is saving his money and trying to sell tickets to make it happen.

Abby is excitedly practicing for the music festival every day. She’s sounding great learning 7 songs!

Amelia is almost done gym and she has loved it. She does a puzzle about one a week. I also got an earful from Abby on a trip into the Stake Center for a youth committee meeting that she is part of, about all the crushes going on in the youth in the ward. Good times.

This morning as I waited to go to church, I found your “Just One Prayer Away” song and sat down and played and sang it. 2 things happened. 1. My voice cracked and I wondered again how you guys managed to pull off such high notes, and 2. I had a rush of memory and got all choked up both by the message of the song and remembering you and Ben singing it!

Be well, my son. We pray for you daily and are grateful for your willing service. You and your future family will be abundantly blessed because of your choice to serve and endure to the end.

Another pic of Mia helping with Shopping:

Love,

Dad.

From Ben - The Bizarre Week

Sam this week was bizarre.

1) I got played into becoming a grad date

2) I locked the keys in the truck and backed into the garage in the same hour.

3) I got to be apart of Ben de Vries priest ordination

4) And finally, I agreed to play the piano for a one act (and hour long play done in one act) and they handed me 52 pages of music to learn by next month....

Story: Last week Megan, (the girl that comes to me for relationship advice) asked me to go get ice cream with her and two other friends. I knew them all from musical theatre so I thought it would be cool (Free marble slab, and I am in) We planned to do it on Friday, so when the time came around, I went to the rendezvous point, the first girl claimed she had too much homework to come, and Megan was nowhere to be seen. So I was left with the final girl Abigail Issler, I couldn't say I was not going to go because of her, and so away we went. When we got to the Slab, she asked me to be her grad "escort"... I had to say yes because 1) she is kinda cute, and 2) I couldn't be disrespectful. Moral of the story... Women are dangerous, but sometimes it is to our benefit :)

Everything else is pretty self explanatory . Love you a ton Sam, I still need to get the courage to ask a girl on a date, but I feel that I will get there soon.

Be safe and follow the promptings of the spirit.

-Ben 

From Sam to Dad

Thanks for all the details in life at home. I love hearing it all. Also, If it's possible to send videos from home, I would love that.

From Sam - Another Week Flies By : 

It always befuddles me how fast the week goes when I don't think about when Monday is. When I just focus my efforts on the day, time flies. The mission is great, one experience we're told in the white hand book to not proselyte near places of worship. Then as I was walking in my area I noticed that there's a church on every corner and commented to my companion that we can't do missionary work because there's to many places of worship. You can't go 10 minutes without finding a church somewhere. I'm learning my area a lot better now, well...half of it. The other half both me and my companion are learning. There's no better way to learn where you are then to get lost for a while. It's better to learn when you have the information and maps to guide you, but if you need to get lost to find out where you are, then that's better. Just don't stay lost.

Yesterday was Stake Conference and an area seventy from the Congo came and spake. I think in my last email I talked about how I want to come closer to God and to know him better. During the Conference My question/concern was answered. You can know God better and come closer to him by learning and studying about our savior Jesus Christ. Because when you learn about the Son, you also learn about the Father. It's really awesome. The other question I've been contemplating is how can one increase(exercise) faith. Through an email from Josh, Stake Conference and the bible dictionary, I learned that faith is a principle of action, "Faith without works is dead". You also have to be patient with yourself and with Gods timetable. Faith in Jesus Christ is trusting that God knows better and working through your trials.

During my stay in Zambia, I found an easy way to make cake for 30 kwacha(3 dollars) and everyone loves it so much. while I(the one who makes it all the time) don't really enjoy eating it everyday, though I have some in my flat everyday for the other missionaries.

Through a conversation with a Missionary that went to Madagascar, I thought I was talking to someone else then realized that I was talking to this missionary. I said this when I found out: I'm just as clueless in writing as I am in speaking. I always have to remember that I'm still new on mission and that I still have a lot to learn. Pride is something that sneaks into your life without you knowing it. I recently had to let myself be humbled. Pride is truly the great stumbling block for mankind. The Bishop gave an example of when his kid did something he didn't want him to do, he hit him on the hand to let him know to not do that thing again. His kid went crying to his Mother, but when his Mother was nowhere in sight he turned around and sought comfort from his father, who just hit him on the hand. He gave that example and talked anout how we need to forgive and humble ourselves and turn to God.

Anyway, I love hearing about how everyone's lives are going. I have two weeks left in training, then I'll be a regular missionary. Unless I get called as a trainer, District leader, Zone leader or an assistant. We'll see what the future brings. God Answers prayers in his own time. But he will answer them. I know that's true.

I love you all,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-The movies: two of them are me playing with a dog of an investigator, The other two are rain scenarios

-A kid on the street inside a pot watching her brothers play soccer.

-Three missionaries, all from Canada, except the one turning his back taking a picture.

-The next two are of me and my MTC companions.(The white missionaries)

-The one with the food is proof i'm not starving here in Africa

-An African sunset.(It looks better in person)

-Fresh Mountain Dew.

March 4, 2018

From Mom - It's Official:

Dear Sammy Sam,

Do you remember the Rector's dog, Bear? Well, he disappeared ... and since the Patricks found cougar tracks down at their place, the general consensus is that a cougar got Bear. 

No trace. 

As a result, they bought a new dog named Tank. Based on the name, you can imagine the size of the dog and Sheena explained she feels safe with a giant canine protecting their property. Tank is much nicer than Bear though, and we decided to see how Coco would do with him. Let's just say it's official ... all big dogs want to eat our little yapster. No bringing Coco on visits to the Rectors if we want her to live.

It's official ... Ben is too busy. The girls cry because he's gone all the time. He picked up a temporary fund-raising job (he's saving up for Whistler) of cleaning apartments at the Till's building in Calmar. We had to tell them we could only find about five hours per week to clean, but they're okay with that. Ben is learning the fine art of window cleaning, fridge detailing, baseboard dusting, toilet scrubbing and wall washing around all the other things he is doing. Outside of school. homework, choir, band, piano lessons, preparing for the Music Festival, youth night, home teaching, and . . . wait for it . . . D&D (thanks to you. Ha! Cody dies when Ben has no time to play with him  ... and think about it, there needs to be some time for fun), he just has no other extra minutes for anything else. We are very, very, very grateful for Sundays when we dedicate it to worship and family time.

Josh is working with Peter Rector off and on constructing the giant chicken barn the Day's are putting up. It's not consistent work due to weather and Peter's other responsibilities but it's better than no work at all. He's going to Institute Choir and one Institute class, getting involved in the Single's Ward and preparing to go to BYU-I towards the end of April. I'm excited/dreading for him to leave. Dreading because we are just getting used to having him around again and we love it and him and I don't know if I can stand missing two sons at the same time. Excited because ... it's official ... girls love him. I would much rather have him break hearts far away from home with people we don't know. So I'm happy to have him go away and take college classes and take advantage of the opportunities of college life. And he can date to his heart's content without any mother anxiety. 

Abby's responsibilities are ramping up. She's preparing for the Music Festival and spends a lot of time on the piano; the Stake asked her to be on a youth council where she can speak her mind from a youth perspective; and she's taking more of a leadership role in Young Women's. Yesterday, she was visiting over to the Rector's and apparently, Peter was giving her a hard time and it's become official ... she is getting a reputation for bold speaking. Apparently, she doesn't take much nonsense from anyone and everyone loves it. She's lost her shyness (if she ever had any). This past Wednesday, Dad and I attended the YW New Beginnings. Among other things, they sang the 2018 Youth Theme Song called Peace in Christ. It was stunning. Part of the stun was Abby singing boldly front and center, smiling at everyone with not a speck of fear. She's growing up.

Mia is continuing gymnastics, still organising swimming events with her friends, keeping the family going with board games and motivating our family life to be joyful. She keeps us hopping. It's official ... Mia came to our family to keep us having fun and prevent us from taking ourselves too seriously. She really is such a fun caboose to our family.

Stephanie is graduating from University in April. So we're dropping off Josh to start school in Rexburg and then going to Steph's grand finale in Provo. We're pretty excited about it. The current plan is for Tyler and Steph to spend the summer here and we cannot wait. Hopefully we can get some huge progress done on the treehouse. We have the idea of possibly turning it into an AirB&B to make some extra cash. With Wizard Lake being so close, it seems a feasible idea but the big hurdle will be getting the county on board. I officially have a long list of projects for Tyler to help me with since he's so good at being handy. ESPECIALLY since you've been gone. I miss your handy ways.

Dad and I are just the same as always. We actually had a chat this morning about answering the question ... "How can we continue to progress?" As long as we're alive we should be always improving and doing better. It's official and it's always been official ... I really love your Dad. He's just such a steady influence, rarely complaining, always working for our good. Life is good with him around. He's adjusting a little with being out of Young Men's though. I think he's been in there for over 20 years and it's kind of nice having him home on Wednesday nights for a change. Every now and then all the kids are gone we just kind of look at each other and wonder how to fill the time. We'll figure it out though. I'm looking forward to it.

We've been loving your emails. You are a good writer! I often get comments from people about how much they appreciate your emails. So you are strengthening others through your experiences. It sounds like Kylen is still stuck in Canada waiting for his Visa to go to France. Hopefully he will be able to head to his mission soon. I was thinking how grateful you were to finally get into your area where poor Kylen will be so grateful to get to his actual mission. Keep on going, my dear son. We are so proud of you. Face the difficult things and appreciate the tender mercies. Although we miss you terribly, we wouldn't have to be anywhere else. All that you experience will be for your life's learning and you are shaping your character every day.

We love, love, love you.

We pray for you everyday and we hope you can feel it.

We hope you will be safe, that you will be directed by the Spirit and feel the purpose for which you were called to Zambia.

Love you forever,

Mom

From Sam - Another Amazing Week:

This week has been amazing, though it's not easy. That's my favorite thing about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's simple, but not easy. If it was easy we wouldn't learn. It's something I have to keep telling myself, Hard is good, If it's not hard I don't learn. Yesterday was really good. While I was showing one of the investigators we brought to church around, when we walked into the chapel, a different investigator from other missionaries was there and just happened to be friends with my investigator. It was just like Boom, instant friend. It was nice. After church, we had a baptism for a set of nine year old twins. It brought to my mind what I learned in the MTC. While on my mission, I'll be changing peoples eternities. It's pretty cool to think about.

My trainer hit his 1 year mark on mission a couple days ago. to celebrate, he did the Banana/Sprite Challenge. That was interesting to watch. I've been studying in the Book of Mormon and read Alma 26:22, Ammon in talking to his brothers about their success with the Lamenites and in this verse, he promises that if a person that does missionary work repents, exercises faith, does good works and prays continually without ceasing, They can know the mysteries of God and bring thousands to God. As I read that, I was thinking that's something I want to do; I want to bring thousands to the knowledge of God.

One of the members in church, Brother Noel, I think I told you all about him. He's blind and very funny. When ever he asks me a question, I answer "Let me think about it", I say this so I can give a good sincere answer. But when I say that, he scolds me and tells me to always have an answer on hand. It's true but it's still funny. I'm going to say to him 'Leka Niganizepo", which is Nianja for let me think about it. It's going to be hilariously awesome.

The Church is true. Stay Awesome Everyone!

Lots of the pictures are of the landscape and roads that are in my area.

 

Other pictures are

-Eating supper while the power was out.

-Fast Sunday Meal

-Me Studying

-A tiny dog in the streets(Probably has disease)

-Me holding an investigators dog

The videos

-Safe from the rain

-Inside a bus with people arguing over soccer teams

-Cheap pop

-A video I thought was going to be a picture;)

There are 3 other videos but they won't upload in time.

Enjoy

Elder Smith