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...
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